19 June 2002

Maxim Institute has come up with an innovative way for people to use the Internet to send letters to newspaper editors around the country.

As part of the Maxim strategy to get New Zealanders more involved in public debate and policy, it went live this week with a Letter Wizard, a concept which the Green Party also plans to develop.

Maxim Managing Director, Greg Fleming, believes this is the first tool of its kind to be available in New Zealand.

“We are keen to help people have their say and voice their informed opinion. The Letter Wizard is a fast and easy way for ordinary kiwis to state their views. This function will help contribute to a healthy democracy.”

Maxim website users simply have to follow four quick steps to send their letter to the editor of any newspaper in the country, but Mr Fleming stressed that Maxim is not providing form letters for people to fill out. “They still have to write their own original letter – we’re just making them easier to send,” he said.

Mr Fleming says other creative ideas are in development for the Maxim website to help inform and activate people in the political process.

To view or use the Letter Wizard visit the Maxim homepage at: www.maxim.org.nz

Ends.

For comment:
Greg Fleming Tel. (09) 627 3261 or 025 226 2112

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