As you will have seen from our work over the last couple of years, NZCCL has put considerable effort into the development of Aotearoa New Zealand’s 4th National Action Plan as a member of the international Open Government Partnership. 

Following on from this effort, we wanted to let you know about a forthcoming panel discussion with the CEO of the Open Government Partnership and others, including our Deputy Chair, Andrew Ecclestone. It will take place in Wellington on 13 April from 5:00 – 7:30 pm. If you’re outside Wellington a link to the livestream will be provided if you register at the link below (the livestream will start at 5:30 pm).

Details are below. Please register using the form at the link below, so they know how many to cater for – there will be refreshments before and after the discussion – and forward this email to anyone you think might be interested in attending.

Registration: https://nz-open-govt.lilregie.com/

Panelists: 

• Sanjay Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer, Open Government Partnership
• Rt Hon Helen Clark, Ambassador, Open Government Partnership
• Helmut Modlik, Chief Executive Officer, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira
• Andrew Ecclestone, Deputy Chair, NZ Council for Civil Liberties
• Suzanne Snively, Member, NZ Open Government Partnership Expert Advisory Panel

Moderator: Dr Barbara Allen, Deputy Head, VUW School of Government

Event description:

Aotearoa New Zealand is regarded by others as being one of the most transparent, least corrupt, and most democratic countries in the world. But perceptions of these issues amongst people living in Aotearoa New Zealand can diverge, and there is a risk that governments have been resting on their laurels. What does ‘open government’ mean? What does it mean in the context of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tino rangatiratanga? What lessons can Aotearoa New Zealand learn from democratic backsliding in other countries? How can we make progress on public participation beyond voting in elections? And what new opportunities and challenges await us on the horizon? Join this panel of domestic and international leaders as we consider these issues, in light of Aotearoa New Zealand’s recent fourth national action plan for open government.

Date and time: 5:00-7:30 pm, Thursday 13 April 2023 (Panel discussion 5:30-6:30 pm, refreshments before and after the discussion)

Location: Lecture Theatre 1, VUW Law School (Behind Old Government Buildings, access from Stout Street)

NZCCL has organised this event in collaboration with the Victoria University of Wellington School of Government, Trust Democracy, Transparency International New Zealand, and the Open Government Partnership.