LOBBYING 101

Lobbying 101: Change the System - Together

Lobbying shouldn’t just be for big corporations or those who can afford specialised expertise. It should be for communities seeking a fairer, more open political process. In New Zealand, the lack of lobbying regulations often keeps influential decisions out of public view. Why does this matter? Because transparency helps ensure that community voices shape policies that genuinely reflect our diverse needs.

Lobbying shapes decisions that impact our daily lives, yet the voices that resonate most often, belong to powerful companies and well-funded groups. In New Zealand, lobbying remains largely unregulated, allowing much of this influence to operate behind the scenes.

So, what exactly is lobbying, and how does it function in New Zealand? It’s more common here than you might think, even though many believe it’s primarily an American phenomenon.

Join us as we explore the role of lobbying in our political system and explain how Lobby for Good is working to increase transparency and accountability in the process

“Main political parties are risk averse and not prepared to get offside with key lobbyists and since it all happens in secret, the public are completely unaware and oblivious to it”

Sue Kedgley (former lobbyist and MP)

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Unseen Influence: How Lobbying Shapes New Zealand’s Political Landscape

Lobbying is a powerful force that shapes political decisions every day, yet much of it happens out of public view. This graphic illustrates two distinct approaches to lobbying. At the top, you’ll see Lobby for Good, visible and accessible, reflecting our commitment to transparency and genuine public engagement.

Below, we’ve illustrated the layers of traditional lobbying, which often operate out of sight through legal firms, PR companies, industry groups, and other well-funded players. By revealing these hidden processes, we emphasise why transparency matters and how Lobby for Good is working to innovate and disrupt this traditional model for the public good.

AT LOBBY FOR GOOD WE OPERATE ABOVE THE GROUND SO YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON AND WHY IT MATTERS. THROUGH OUR NETWORKS WE TACKLE IMPORTANT ISSUES, IDENTIFY POTENTIAL CHALLENGES, AND KEEP YOU INFORMED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY ON THE PROGRESS OF THE CAMPAIGNS YOU CARE ABOUT.

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“Unlike some other Western democracies, a lack of legislation in New Zealand requiring transparency around lobbying allows activities and tactics to be kept hidden from public scrutiny. Subsequent research for this project found that media frequently do not identify that some news making organisations are in reality lobby groups.”