FACING SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH BEFORE?

WE HELP YOU WORK OUT WHERE TO START.

SOMETIMES LIFE PUTS YOU IN UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY. WE HELP PEOPLE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS NAVIGATE WHAT TO DO WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

We offer practical support for individuals, communities, and public agencies navigating complex processes, before needing to jump straight into legal fees.

WHEN THE SYSTEM DOESN'T MAKE SENSE,
WE HELP YOU FIGURE IT OUT.

Lobby for Good is an independent civic agency that helps people navigate public systems with more clarity and less stress.

We’re called Lobby for Good because that’s what we help people do - speak up, get heard, and influence decisions that affect their lives. Most people don’t realise that’s what lobbying actually is. It’s about knowing how things work, and how to take part.

We work with:

Individuals trying to deal with confusing or unfair processes
Communities raising shared concerns
Institutions that want an honest look at what’s working, and what’s not

Whether you’re stuck, speaking up, or ready to act - we help you take the next step.

GET SUPPORT. IMPROVE THE SYSTEM. MAKE CHANGE STICK.

There are three ways to work with Lobby for Good - whether you’re navigating a system yourself, working to improve one, or supporting change at scale.

FOR INDIVIDUALSIf you’re dealing with a public process you’ve never had to navigate before, we’ll help you understand your options and work out what to do next - before legal costs become the default.

FOR AGENCIES & INSTITUTIONSWe work with councils and public agencies to surface emerging patterns, understand public experience, and address issues early - before they escalate into complaints, disputes, or legal action.

FOR EVERYONEWhen individual experiences point to bigger problems, we connect the dots - helping communities, institutions, and decision-makers work together toward lasting change.

Different perspectives. One shared goal. Systems that work better for everyone.

When you come to Lobby for Good, we focus on understanding your situation, your options, and what makes sense to do next.

We can help you:

Understand where you stand and what your rights are in your situation
Work out what you’re entitled to - and how to ask for it
Decide if and when to escalate, and how to prepare if you do
Get strategic support, not just a referral to a lawyer

LEARN MORE

NOTICE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT? TELL US - WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

Sometimes it’s not just one experience, it’s a pattern. When multiple people raise similar concerns, we help connect the dots and understand what’s really going on.

When we spot something bigger going on, we:

Look closely at the details
Identify patterns and underlying causes
Raise issues with the right people
Support changes that lead to long-term fixes

If you’ve seen something behind the scenes - a broken process, a concerning decision, or influence that doesn’t feel right - we want to hear about it.

Everything you share is treated with care and kept confidential. You don’t need to have all the answers & you’re not alone in this.

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LOBBYING IN NEW ZEALAND

WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T SEE IS SHAPING DECISIONS EVERYDAY

Many of the decisions that affect land, public money, and policy don’t happen in public. They’re shaped through influence - advice, relationships, and access - long before a decision is announced.

In New Zealand, this influence often isn’t called lobbying. It can appear as consultancy, advisory work, legal advice, or strategic communications. Much of it happens out of sight.

Unlike many countries, New Zealand has:

No public register of lobbyists
No clear disclosure of who meets with ministers or senior officials
Limited transparency around what influence is being exercised, and how

This doesn’t mean every decision is wrong - but it does mean the public often can’t see how decisions are shaped, or whose voices carry the most weight.

Over time, this lack of visibility can lead to patterns:

Public assets changed or sold with limited community input
Policies shaped more by access than lived experience
Public trust eroded when questions go unanswered

These aren’t isolated moments. They’re signals of how systems can drift when influence isn’t transparent and feedback arrives too late.

New Zealand is often described as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. That reputation is largely based on perception - not on close scrutiny of influence, lobbying, or decision-making processes.

When systems aren’t closely examined, problems don’t always look dramatic. They look quiet. Incremental. Hard to challenge. And by the time concerns are raised, decisions are already locked in.

WHY THIS MATTERS & WHY WE EXIST

Lobby for Good exists to help make these dynamics more visible and to give people, communities, and institutions better ways to respond early.

We don’t assume bad intent.
We look for patterns.
We help surface issues before they escalate.
And we support people to engage with systems confidently, without needing deep pockets or insider access.

Because when people speak up, something should happen.