Geoffrey Palmer Livres

A vivid and entertaining picture of the life and times of a man whose work as a comic writer is of the highest quality, including the Mapp and Lucia books, and who has a huge and rapidly growing readership.

A survival guide to democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand, this book aims to unravel the mysteries of our political system and show how ordinary people can navigate the political world and influence decisions made by our government. Its 40 chapters include a succinct history of government in Aotearoa New Zealand; introductions to our principal institutions; interviews with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Governor-General, Speaker and Chief Justice; advice on how to campaign, complain and obtain information; and consideration of future challenges of climate change, decolonisation, and engaging rangatahi in the political process.

In 2016, Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Andrew Butler proposed and published a written, codified constitution for Aotearoa New Zealand. Since then the authors have travelled the country, discussing with the public the nature of New Zealand's identity and where the country is headed. After considering their conversations and formal submissions, this second book - with its revised proposal for a codified constitution - is the product of a year in development. Towards Democratic Renewal reinforces Palmer and Butler’s argument for a robust and democratic framework that will safeguard our political system against future challenges, from climate change to earthquakes, ‘post-truth’ politics and surveillance. This clear, revised constitution defines and entrenches government accountability and transparency, protects the rights of our peoples and tangata whenua, and offers transformative steps to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of Aotearoa New Zealand.