{"title":"10 Gifts for Someone Who's Overly Invested in the New Zealand Election","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"how-to-save-democracy-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-by-geoffrey-palmer-9781776922994","title":"How to Save Democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew Zealand is a democracy: the people should be in charge.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this timely and provocative book, Sir Geoffrey Palmer draws on his experience as former Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, and Attorney-General to get people thinking about the state of New Zealand’s democracy. Palmer offers rare insights into the machinery of power and its vulnerabilities, and rather than surrendering to pessimism, he presents a roadmap for renewal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt a time when authoritarianism rises globally and the rule of law faces unprecedented threats, Palmer’s message is clear: ordinary citizens hold the key to democratic revitalisation through civic engagement and vigilance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection of thoughtful essays challenges readers to reclaim their role in governance. Palmer argues that regardless of which parties hold power, without public awareness and participation, democratic institutions will continue to weaken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone concerned about New Zealand’s future and the global retreat of democratic values, this book offers both warning and inspiration – a call to action from one of the nation’s most distinguished constitutional minds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Upstart Press Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46795767546092,"sku":"9781776922994","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781776922994.webp?v=1757062900"},{"product_id":"parliamentary-privilege-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-by-geoffrey-palmer-9781776923168","title":"Parliamentary Privilege in Aotearoa New Zealand","description":"\u003cp\u003ePublished ahead of the 2026 NZ General Election, this book by Sir \nGeoffrey Palmer invites public scrutiny of how Parliament wields its \npowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParliamentary privilege is 'the oil of the democratic machine'. It \ncan be defined as the special legal powers that allow Parliament to \nregulate its affairs - and is a curious mix of history, parliamentary \npractice, law and politics. 'However, it is also viscous and volatile,' \nwrites Palmer, 'and should not be left to sit too long without change.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis incisive book examines how parliamentary privilege operates in \nNew Zealand, and where change is needed. Palmer traces its evolution and\n shows how reform has lagged behind that of comparable democracies such \nas Canada.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith his characteristic clarity and frankness, Palmer calls for \ngreater transparency, fairness and consistency in how Parliament \nexercises its powers. 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O’Sullivan also critiques the idea that Te Tiriti created one people, assimilating Māori into colonial ways of governing. Instead, he proposes a new politics where Māori self-determination and liberal democracy, rangatiratanga and kāwanatanga, complement one another to promote meaningful and culturally grounded political equality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eO’Sullivan enables us to see a future for Aotearoa in which political authority and responsibility belong to everyone and should therefore work equally well for all; a country where Māori people, as much as anyone else, bring their tikanga to public life; and a society where the Crown is no longer the word we use to describe government.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor scholars, policymakers and political leaders, for Māori and Pākehā, for all of us imagining a respectful and inclusive future for our island democracy, this is essential reading.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Upstart Press Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47417533726956,"sku":"9781776712366","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/bf5a268e88df93833dc96fe176c776b9.jpg?v=1774307193"},{"product_id":"go-hard-or-go-home-by-kiritapu-allan-9781776950928","title":"Go Hard or Go Home","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the front bench to rock bottom: \u003ci\u003eGo Hard or Go Home\u003c\/i\u003e is Kiri Allan's fearless memoir of ambition, disruption and survival in NZ politics and beyond.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKiri Allan's six-year political career spanned some of the most challenging times in recent history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvents a government might encounter once in a generation stacked up: a terrorist attack, a volcanic eruption, destructive and deadly weather events, a global pandemic . . . 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