A Tauranga woman who recently ran in the 2023 General Elections is encouraging people to get more involved in politics.

Erika Harvey is the director of public affairs for Lobby for Good - a social enterprise focused on turning political engagement on its head.

She was also a candidate in the Tauranga electorate as part of the general elections back in October.

“We believe that everyone in New Zealand, regardless of their background or resources, should have a voice in our democracy,” says Erika.

Lobby for Good invites the general public to play a direct role in shaping our nation's lobbying efforts, says Erika.

“Our new service offers an incredible opportunity for every New Zealander to contribute to meaningful change.

“It’s all about making lobbying accessible, understandable, and effective for the everyday Kiwi.”

Erika says there is an urgent need for informed decisions and the community support of the IHR Campaign.

“As we approach the crucial 1st of December 2023 deadline, New Zealand finds itself at a pivotal juncture regarding the proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005).

“It is of paramount importance that these decisions are made with a comprehensive understanding of their potential impact on our nation’s health, autonomy, and economic well-being.

“In light of this, Lobby for Good is proud to announce that the IHR campaign has been accepted onto their platform after receiving over 20,000 signatures of support.

“They are actively seeking the public’s support to ensure that the government’s decisions in this regard are made with the fullest possible engagement and insight from the people of New Zealand.”

“Our platform is a bit of a revolution in the world of politics,” says Erika.

“We’ve created an online space where individuals can learn about lobbying, connect with like-minded individuals through the campaigns we’ll run, and actively participate in shaping policies.

“It’s a gateway to becoming a powerful advocate for the changes you believe in.

 “At Lobby for Good, our mission is to simplify the lobbying process.

“Think of us as your go-to place for learning the ropes.

“We’re in the process of developing our platform a bit more where we’ll be offering educational workshops and even creating some tools to help people figure out how they can make a real difference in government decisions.

“Additionally, our members can submit their ideas for our lobbying missions and if someone has a petition that’s really catching fire, over 10,000 signatures kind of hot, and it lines up with what we stand for, we’re all in!

“We’ll take that petition and transform it into a full-fledged lobby campaign. 

 “By arming the public with the skills and tools for lobbying, we’re inviting new voices to join the political conversation.

“It’s not just about who can shout the loudest, it’s about shaping policies that genuinely mirror what people need and what they’re asking for.

“That's the secret sauce to strengthening our democracy from the inside out.

“Take Tauranga, for instance.

“It’s been a while since the locals have had their voices in the mix.

“So, if there’s a local issue that is getting traction, they just need to let us know.

“We’ll dive into it and, who knows, it could become our next lobby for a good campaign.

“People can use Lobby for Good for a variety of issues – whether it's local, education, healthcare, or national policy debates.

“The beauty of Lobby for Good is that it's all fuelled by what people are passionate about.

“We’re open to new lobby campaigns right now, so we’re interested to see what topics the public are interested in having better representation on.

“For the future, this means a more dynamic, responsive, and inclusive democratic process.

“We’re looking at a future where policy decisions are more reflective of the population’s diverse viewpoints, leading to more sustainable and widely supported outcomes.

“We are taking on new campaigns now, our previous campaign was achieved on Friday.

“I guess you could say our current campaign is spreading the word that everyone’s voice matters and showing people how they can be part of the political process in a meaningful way.

“We want to make democracy more vibrant and representative.

“Getting involved is easy! Just visit our website at www.LobbyforGood.co.nz and learn more about lobbying and how you can become involved.

“We’re always thrilled to welcome new members who want to join our cause, and hey, if you’ve got a petition you’re passionate about, send it our way!”