Our approach

In response to this problem, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team from the University of Auckland, with expertise in politics, science, science and technology studies, and education. Together with holders of local and indigenous knowledge, worldviews and practices (mātauranga and tikanga Māori) we are developing and testing a range of new approaches and methodologies adapted to the Aotearoa New Zealand context.

We are testing, adapting and developing methods that expand and improve the existing democracy toolbox. We work with the methodology and scholarship coming from the field of deliberative democracy. These approaches offer ways to reach groups that rarely take part in participatory engagements, and support them to reach considered, shared judgments backed by deep deliberation. We consider such approaches to produce results that are more equitable and better informed than those achieved through direct democracy (referenda) or through participatory democracy (town halls, submissions, etc).

Furthermore, we use online software tools, such as Pol.is and Consider.it, for collecting, sorting, visualising and analysing where people stand on a particular issue, and why. These tools allow participants to express their views and reasoning behind them, in their own words, and have those visible to others taking part.  With their potential to capture a greater diversity of views than standard surveys, they can harness collective intelligence to promote the emergence of new ideas.

Project Leaders

Tatjana Buklijas has a background in social studies of science and medicine. She is interested in the ways in which scientific knowledge is created and deployed in changing political and social circumstances.

Anne Bardsley has a background in science and expertise in synthesising evidence for use in policy and public decision-making. Her work is highly transdisciplinary, involving systems thinking and futures methodologies, as well as innovations to support public reasoning and deliberation.

Kristiann Allen has a background in anthropology and has worked at the intersection of science and public policy in multiple contexts internationally, including provincial, federal and multi-lateral systems, through which she has come to appreciate the intricate dance between evidence, political decision-making and public opinion.

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal (Marutūahu, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngā Puhi) is the Strategic Advisory Māori for Koi Tū. He has written and advised extensively on aspects of mātauranga Māori and iwi histories and traditions. Previously he was Professor of Indigenous Development; and Director, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, University of Auckland.

Project Team

Jacquie Bay comes from an education background and has experience in developing learning programmes that help people explore their frames of reference with regard to socio-scientific issues.

Campbell Guy is a former Masters student whose dissertation outlined the potential of deliberative democracy to improve water governance. Now working in the local government, Campbell is continuing his practitioner and advocacy work in deliberative democracy.

Jillian Hildreth is a PhD student whose research explores the potential of deliberative democracy methods in health communication. She is using her design and communication skills to support many of the Complex Conversations projects.

Finlay Harvey has the background in human geography. Since early 2022, he has been project-managing many of our projects. 

Associates 

Jenny Wigley is a researcher working at Watercare, tasked with encouraging public participation in key infrastructure and investment decisions.

Julia Büdler is a former Masters student and Kupe scholar whose project explored the politicians’ views of deliberative engagement processes.

A/Prof Matheson Russell is a political philosopher researching deliberative democracy.

Dr Nicolas Pirsoul, who worked in the early stages of the Watercare citizens’ assembly, continues his association with the team even after his move to Melbourne where he is helping embed deliberative democracy in local government. 

Simon Wright specialises in designing and evaluating deliberative approaches to decision-making including using online tools.

John Pennington is interested in deliberative approaches to decision-making, agenda setting and social learning. 

Lee Ryan is an experienced facilitator and qualitative researcher.

Alex King is a former Honours student and Kupe scholar who assisted with the transport forum project. He is currently a policy advisor at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.