How can I make a difference?
Good Question!
Politicians are driven by their desire for influence and survival. And
you can help them with both!
Our system of government depends on every part of our society being able to participate in a healthy national debate. The Mission has tools to help you make your views known.
There are six easy steps:
- Work out who are the decision-makers (this can be MPs of all stripes or Cabinet Ministers)
- Write to them (addresses below). A hand-written letter can be as effective as a typed one, or email, and can sometimes be more powerful.
- Include 4 paragraphs (5 if they are a Minister of the
Crown):
- Appreciate them. Thank them for something they have done or said that you can agree with.
- Say what’s on your mind, keeping to the one clear message you want to communicate. Avoid the temptation to bring in other issues: 1 letter = 1 message.
- Give them a way out: a better way of solving the problem they think they’re working on. Attack the idea, not the person.
- Explain how you can provide practical help.
- For Ministers of the Crown: ask them a question that requires an answer (not “are you mad?”) and include a reply address – it makes their officials work, and that’s a way of getting them to pay attention.
- Sign-off including any titles, membership of voluntary organisations etc that you have – it shows how you are connected and what your influence is.
- If you are writing to a Minister, send the original to their electorate office and a copy to the Minister’s office. It matters because the two talk to each other, and electorate offices actually read the mail they get far more closely than the Wellington Office.
- Repeat.
Parliament's official website has useful links to help you communicate your views. Click on these links to NZ Parliament Päremata Aotearoa to take you there:
Complete list of MPs ...and their profiles, responsibilities and contact details. Can be arranged by party, electorate, or name.
Latest list of membersDownload a PDF file.
All MPs etc. can be written to at Parliament free of charge.
c/- Freepost, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160.
The addresses below are for their electorates (stamp required):
Selected key (no pun intended) addresses
Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister & MP For Helensville
P.O. Box 258
Kumeu
Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance
MP for Clutha Southland
68A Clyde St
Balclutha
Hon Paula Bennett
Minister of Social Development &
MP for Waitakere
429 Great North Rd
Henderson
Auckland 0610
Hon Tariana Turia
Associate Minister of Social Development & MP for Te Tai Hauauru
Suite 21,
Wicksteed Tce
Whanganui 4500
Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Minister of Maori Affairs & MP for Tamaki Makaurau
Kendall House
141 Kolmar Rd
Hunters Corner
Auckland 2025
Michael Woodhouse
List MP
Upstart House
333 Princes St
Dunedin 9016
Dr David Clark
MP for Dunedin North
32 Albany St
Dunedin
Clare Curran
MP for Dunedin South
Shop 1,
South City Mall,
132 Hillside Rd
South Dunedin
Metiria Turei
List MP, Green Party Co-Leader
544 Great King Street
Dunedin
