MEDIA RELEASE
MAXIM INSTITUTE
24 August 2005
MPs and community value the Maxim Institute 2005 Political Forums
Over 38 MPs and 29 candidates from the eight parties represented in Parliament have taken part in the first 17 Political
Forums in the Maxim Institute road show which is touring the country. A further 12 Political Forums have been scheduled
to take place before the general election on 17 September.
Maxim Institute Managing Director and chair of the Political Forums, Greg Fleming, has been delighted with the
grass-roots enthusiasm from people around New Zealand who have taken the initiative to host a forum in their local
region.
"There certainly is a growing interest in the community to be more involved in the political and democratic process",
says Fleming.
"We have been very impressed with MPs and their willingness to take part in the Forums, and the audience have valued the
opportunity to put questions to them. It is important for the public to connect with those campaigning for their
vote-the Forums are a win-win for the community and political parties", says Fleming.
Some comments from MPs who have taken part in a Political Forum:
"Of the three General Elections I have campaigned in, this is the first where there is so much active interest amongst
the public in the outcome. People are clearly unnerved about Parliament's social engineering agenda and are fronting up
to these meetings to express concern. Such activity is good for democracy." Phil Heatley (National)
"Thanks for a series of well run meetings...there was an encouraging response to my suggestion that regardless of voting
intentions we all needed to look carefully at the impact of our own lives and behaviour on the planet and communities
that we bequeath to our children." Mike Ward (Greens)
"The Forums are a very worthwhile contribution to grassroots democracy in the build up to the 2005 election." Dr Muriel
Newman (Act)
"The Forums are very well organised, well attended and very useful for both the MP's in sharing their policy and for the
public in gaining information." Larry Baldock (United Future)
ENDS
For details of past and upcoming Political Forums visit:
www.maxim.org.nz/events