Meetings and public comment: New Zealand.

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Moraph for Good · Voice

Meetings and public comment: New Zealand

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment

Public meetings are where many local decisions are made, and many of them take comments from residents. This sheet covers how to follow a meeting and have your say.

Before the meeting

Find the agenda and papers on the body’s website.
Check how it takes comments: in person, in writing or online.
Check if you need to sign up in advance, and any time limit.

A two-minute comment

Name the agenda item.
Say who you are and your connection to the area.
Say how it affects you and what you’d like to happen.
Be courteous, and thank them.

Writing to decision makers

One issue per message, with the topic in the subject line.
Say clearly what you would like them to do.
Keep it short and keep a copy.

Afterwards

Read the minutes to see what was decided.
Follow up in writing if you have more to add.
For voting questions, use only your official election office.

In New Zealand

Council meetings and consultations. Anyone can take part in council processes. You can attend most council meetings, and make a submission when the council is consulting. Most councils publicise consultations on their websites, and the documents are generally also available at council offices, service centres and public libraries.
Submissions on a bill. After a bill is read in Parliament it is referred to a select committee, which usually calls for public submissions. You can make a submission in writing or online, and sometimes in person, in Māori, English or NZ Sign Language. The Parliament website shows which bills are open for submissions.
What happens next. The select committee looks at the public submissions, considers the evidence and reports its recommendations back to the House. It can ask a submitter to come and talk to it directly.
Government consultations. Govt.nz lists consultations where you can give government and public-sector organisations feedback on new projects, services and policy before they make decisions.
Contacting your MP. You have the right to contact an MP to discuss any issue. You can contact MPs at Parliament or at their local offices.
If something goes wrong. Try to resolve a complaint with the agency first. If you can’t, the Ombudsman can investigate complaints about central government agencies and local government, including councils.

Official places to check:

Local Government Commission: www.lgc.govt.nz/about-us/about-local-government-in-new-zealand
Govt.nz: www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/consultations-have-your-say/give-feedback-on-a-bill-before-parliament
Govt.nz: www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/consultations-have-your-say/consultations-listing
Govt.nz: www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/members-of-parliament
Govt.nz: www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/complain-about-a-government-department/complain-to-the-ombudsman

More free official help in New Zealand: moraph.org/commons/help/civic-engagement/nz

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment