Policy-making Under Pressure

Discover the compelling insights of 'Policy-making Under Pressure,' co-authored by Sonia Mazey and Jeremy Richardson, as they delve deep into the challenges of public policy in Aotearoa New Zealand. This thought-provoking paperback, published by Canterbury University Press, reflects on the complex landscape of policy-making. Measuring the effectiveness of New Zealand’s public policies reveals both commendable successes and critical failings, particularly in areas like child poverty, affordable housing, and youth mental health. This book offers unique perspectives from former ministers, seasoned public servants, and influential commentators, making it an essential read for public policy practitioners and academics alike. With 316 pages of expert analysis, the authors connect personal experiences with established public policy theories, revealing why government missteps occur and providing strategic recommendations for improvement. Understand how New Zealand can adapt its public policy process to better serve the 'team of five million.' This book is not just for scholars; it is designed for anyone interested in enhancing governmental efficacy and exploring pragmatic solutions to ongoing societal challenges. Engage with 'Policy-making Under Pressure' to grasp the nuances of public governance and advocate for reform in New Zealand’s policy landscape.

Authors: Sonia Mazey, Jeremy Richardson Publisher: Canterbury University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 152 x 228 mm
Pages: 316
Publication Date: 22-11-2021

Public policy-making in Aotearoa New Zealand has a patchy track record. In many policy sectors New Zealand performs no worse than many other advanced democracies, and in some it is recognised as world leading. But it is clear that the system is under pressure, confronted with an endless conveyor belt of problems. By international standards, New Zealand ranks poorly in some sectors, notably child poverty, affordable housing, youth suicide, water pollution and obesity. To better serve the ‘team of five million‘, how can the public policy process be improved? Sonia Mazey and Jeremy Richardson, academics whose working lives have been spent researching the policy-making process, sought to answer this question with the help of people with extensive policy-making experience. Policy-making Under Pressure features a diverse team of contributors including former government ministers, senior public servants, commentators and representatives of key stakeholder groups. Their reflections and perspectives provide expert insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand policy process, and offer new angles on persistent problems and policy processes. Drawing upon these first-hand accounts and linking them to classic theories of public policy-making, Mazey and Richardson explain in an accessible way why government ‘stuff-ups’ happen, and suggest practical steps the policy establishment could take to improve policy-making in New Zealand. Written for a wide audience, the book will be of interest to anyone interested in how we might be better served by our government, as well as to public policy practitioners, researchers, and students taking undergraduate and postgraduate courses in government, politics and public policy.