JULY 1 2008

New Zealanders get chance to rate politicians

A new website is giving New Zealanders a chance to rate and review their politicians.

Professional research, review and networking site HowGood ( www.howgood.co.nz) has launched a new page titled "HowGood is my politician?" which will run for the length of the election campaign.

Kicking off with "HowGood is my party leader?" it includes not-entirely-serious profiles of the leaders of all the parliamentary parties, written by social commentator Bill Ralston.

Voters can review and rate the leaders on qualities such as leadership, integrity, charisma and intellect. As well, they can write a brief review of each party leader's performance.

John Wall, group managing director of HowGood Ltd, says "HowGood is my politician?" is a natural extension of the business focus of www.howgood.co.nz.

"Politicians are also professional service providers, and rather than being held accountable on just one day every three years, we believe it's important that they listen to what voters have to say about their performance at all times."

John Banks, chairman of HowGood Ltd and Sugar International - the major shareholder in HowGood - says "HowGood is my politician?" gives voters a further opportunity to be involved in the democratic process.

"A lot of the good work our politicians undertake goes on behind the scenes and is largely unnoticed and unheralded," he says. "By posting a review on www.howgood.co.nz, voters can let the public of New Zealand know about those good things - as well as hold politicians to account for the things they have not done so well.

"Transparency and accountability are the fundamental tenets of business professionals listed on www.howgood.co.nz, and they should also be the fundamental tenets of politicians who, after all, are elected to serve the people of New Zealand."

John Wall says that as the election campaign progresses new polls will be added to "HowGood is my politician?"

"We are already working on adding polls on the party lists and finance spokespeople, and will also respond to hot issues that arise during the campaign, so giving the voting public a chance to let political candidates know how they really think.

"This is a great chance for voters to influence candidates, parties and policies before the election and we hope they'll make the most of this opportunity to really get involved in the democratic process."

To review a political party leader or a business service provider, or list as a business service provider, go to www.howgood.co.nz

ENDS

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