Strengthening Democracy through Open Government
Channel: NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Date: 2023-05-10

Aotearoa New Zealand is regarded by others as being one of the most transparent, least corrupt, and most democratic countries in the world. But perceptions of these issues amongst people living in Aotearoa New Zealand can diverge, and there is a risk that governments have been resting on their laurels.

0:00 Introduction
0:06:30 Sanjay Pradhan
0:14:55 Helen Clark
0:22:40 Helmut Modlik
0:31:51 Panellists
0:42:00 Questions and Answers

* What does ‘open government’ mean?
* What does it mean in the context of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tino rangatiratanga?
* What lessons can Aotearoa New Zealand learn from democratic backsliding in other countries?
* How can we make progress on public participation beyond voting in elections?
* And what new opportunities and challenges await us on the horizon?

This recorded panel discussion considers these issues, in light of Aotearoa New Zealand's recent fourth national action plan for open government. It was held at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington on 13 April 2023.

*Panellists:*
*Sanjay Pradhan* - Chief Executive Officer, Open Government Partnership
*Rt Hon Helen Clark* - Ambassador, Open Government Partnership
*Helmut Modlik* - Chief Executive Officer, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira
*Andrew Ecclestone* - Deputy Chair, NZ Council for Civil Liberties
*Suzanne Snively* - Member, NZ Open Government Partnership Expert Advisory Panel

*Moderator:*
*Dr Barbara Allen* - Deputy Head, VUW School of Government

Event sponsored by:
* Victoria University of Wellington School of Government @VUWCommerce 
* Trust Democracy @trustdemocracynz9292 
* NZ Council for Civil Liberties @nzcouncilforcivilliberties126 
* Transparency International New Zealand @transparencyinternationaln3320 
* Open Government Partnership @OpenGovPart