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Election interactive offers all election policies together


New election interactive Policy offers all election policies in one place


Policy, a non-partisan tool built to inform and engage New Zealanders ahead of the election, launches today on The Spinoff.

Project Directors Ollie Neas and Asher Emanuel say, “We believe it should be easy for New Zealanders to access, understand and compare election policies, so we made Policy.”

Policy allows everyone to browse simple, up-to-date information about the election policies of New Zealand political parties. Each policy is simplified into a short, plain English sentence with back-up details on why the policy is proposed and how it would work. Voters are able to favourite the policies they like, and see how these preferences break down across the various parties. All policies are linked to original sources released by parties.

“Unlike other voting interactives, Policy doesn’t ask you 20 questions and tell you who to vote for. Instead, it allows New Zealanders to see where the parties stand on the big issues to help them make their minds up for themselves,” say Neas and Emanuel.

Policy covers over 30 issues across the ten topics of the economy, education, the environment, health, housing, incomes, justice, migration, te ao Māori, and transport.

Policy is exclusively hosted on The Spinoff, and senior editor Toby Manhire provided editorial oversight.

“There’s certainly no better time for Policy to arrive into the world. We’re confident it will become a destination voters visit and return to and return to again — maybe you’re undecided about which party best fits your priorities, maybe you’re a decided voter who wants to check out what the others are offering, maybe you’re mostly sure but party-curious: this is absolutely the place,” says Manhire.

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“If you genuinely think policy needs to be at the forefront of this election, use the tool, and share it with — no, foist it upon — your family and friends.”

Policy is created by a small team of young New Zealanders with experience in journalism, policy, law, and e-learning. In 2014, the same team created Ours, a youth-focussed election lift-out published by the New Zealand Herald for five weeks ahead of the 2014 general election.

Policy is supported by lead sponsor Chapman Tripp, along with Grant Thornton, Victoria University of Wellington’s Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Muffin Break, and iwantmyname. Scoop provide valuable access to source materials. The Electoral Commission is the sole advertising partner.

“Chapman Tripp is proud to support this initiative to increase engagement among youth in the electoral process,” says Chapman Tripp Wellington managing partner Andy Nicholls.

“Supporting youth is an integral part of our CSR programme, through the likes of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, First Foundation and various scholarships, and supporting Policy is an extension of that. It is important that our youth have a voice and are involved with and interested in government at both a local and national level.”

Russell Moore, National Managing Partner at Grant Thornton New Zealand, says “Grant Thornton is really pleased to support this dynamic initiative; Policy is a great contribution to New Zealand media and will help Kiwis access solid information about policies this election season.”

Simon Chapple, Director of the IGPS at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Government, says "The IGPS is proud to support Policy's election policy comparison tool. Effective democracy in New Zealand requires providing accessible, high quality information to voters on what policies they are voting on. In an age of chronic information over-supply, these sorts of comparative tools are a vital means of winnowing the information wheat from the chaff.”

While Policy is available free for any New Zealander wanting to inform themselves ahead of casting a vote, those using Policy for commercial purposes are asked to contribute a modest commercial licence fee.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

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