New Zealand's Civic Intelligence Platform

KEEPING YOU

INFORMED.

Right now, big corporations and well-funded interest groups have professional lobbyists walking the halls of Parliament and your local council - every single day.

You're paying the bills and the rates. You deserve the same access. Lobby for Good gives it to you.

The Problem

THE PLAYING FIELD IS UNEVEN

In New Zealand, there are no regulations on lobbying. None. Anyone can walk into Parliament or a council meeting and bend the ear of decision-makers - if they can afford to pay someone to do it.

THEM

  • Professional lobbyists on retainer - $10,000–$30,000 a month
  • Direct access to MPs and councillors, any time
  • Early sight of policy changes before they're announced
  • Dedicated staff to track every vote, every submission, every decision
  • The ability to shape legislation in their favour - before you even know it's happening

YOU

  • Working full time, raising a family, paying your rates and taxes
  • No idea what's being decided at your local council this week
  • No time to read 400-page policy documents
  • No professional to represent your interests in the room
  • Finding out about decisions that affect you - after they've already been made

That's not democracy. That's a subscription service - and only some people can afford it.

Lobby for Good is changing that.

What Is Lobbying?

MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD THE WORD

Lobbying is the act of trying to influence the decisions of MPs, councillors, and government officials. It's legal. It's common. And in New Zealand, it's almost entirely unregulated.

Big businesses, industry groups, and well-resourced organisations hire professional lobbyists to make sure their voice is the loudest in the room. They attend select committee hearings, brief ministers directly, and build relationships with decision-makers over years.

Meanwhile, everyday New Zealanders - the ones who actually fund the government through taxes and rates - have no equivalent representation. That's the gap Lobby for Good exists to close.

No public register

There is no requirement for lobbyists to register or disclose who they're meeting with in New Zealand. You have no way of knowing who is influencing decisions that affect your life.

No cooling-off period

Former ministers and senior officials can walk straight into lobbying roles - taking their contacts and insider knowledge with them - the day after leaving office.

No spending limits

There are no caps on how much can be spent lobbying MPs or councillors. The more money you have, the louder your voice.

Civic Tools

TOOLS THAT USED TO COST THOUSANDS. NOW FREE.

The same intelligence that councils and government agencies pay consultants tens of thousands of dollars for - we've built it for you, and made it free to access.

Water Bill Calculator

See year-by-year water charge projections for your council across 4 scenarios. Is your bill about to double?

MP Voting Records

Every parliamentary vote, every party position, every personal vote - searchable by issue.

Policy Promise Tracker

What was promised before the election. What's actually happened since.

lobbyforgood.co.nz/civic-tools
HELP US HELP YOU

YOUR MEMBERSHIP FUNDS
YOUR REPRESENTATION.

Every membership directly funds independent civic journalism, investigation work, and the tools that keep you informed. The more members we have, the louder the collective voice we can bring to Parliament and your local council.

You're busy. You're working. You're raising a family. You shouldn't have to spend hours reading council agendas and Hansard transcripts to stay on top of decisions that affect your life. That's what we're here for.

Membership

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

From $10 a month - less than a coffee a week - you get access to the tools, intelligence, and community that levels the playing field.

$10

Foundation

Core tools & newsletter

$25

Insight

AI Advisor + briefings

$50

Voice

Early investigations

$75

Momentum

Workshops + priority

$100+

Sustainer

Full access + direct input

Free Newsletter

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