In New Zealand, you can often share your views with local or central government before decisions are made on projects, services and policy. This is called making a submission.
The government releases a document explaining what they are proposing. This document also tells you:
- how to make a submission
- where to send it
- the closing date
You can make a submission on your own or together with others, such as a community or faith group.
Your views can influence decisions, but ministers, agencies or select committees make the final decisions.
You can find out what the government wants feedback on so you can share your views before they make decisions.
Making a submission
Submissions need to be written, but you can ask to present in person or online (called an oral submission).
Only write or speak about the topic asked for. The select committee will only look at this topic. If you write or speak about other things, your points on the main topic may be unclear or be missed.
These guides will help you: A guide to making a written submission, writing a submission. and how to make a submission.
You can also see public examples of submissions and advice.
If you want to make a submission on a Bill before parliament, you usually need to make a submission to a select committee.
Select committees
A select committee is a small group of around 11 to 14 Members of Parliament (MPs) who study issues, bills (proposed laws), or topics. They listen to submissions and then make recommendations to Parliament.