Over four consecutive Saturdays in September and October of 2023, the Council hosted a Citizens’ Assembly with a diverse group of Wellingtonians. The Assembly was convened as part of the Council's engagement for the Long-Term Plan (LTP). A group of 42 people were selected through a detailed sortition process.
A Citizens’ Assembly focuses on collaborative decision-making by bringing a diverse and representative group together, to deliberate and make an informed decision on a complex topic where there is strong public interest. To read the assembly recommendations and learn more about the consultation process, visit: Citizens’ Assembly | Let's Talk website.
As this was our first citizens’ assembly, an evaluation of the Assembly process was conducted. The evaluation used mixed methods to look at different aspects of the Assembly.
Key findings include:
- Process design: The recruitment process was very successful, and a good cross-section of Wellingtonians participated. Bicultural facilitation ensured elements of te ao Māori and te reo Māori were included in the sessions. However, consideration of the Treaty of Waitangi and implications for Māori could have been more fundamentally integrated into the process.
- The deliberative experience: Participants were well supported to attend. Diverse information sources were shared; many participants reported a learning curve to understand this information. Group dynamics generally worked well, but facilitation is important to ensure equitable participation. Participants enjoyed meeting new people and hearing diverse views.
- Pathways to impact: The Assembly was a learning experience and increased participants’ understanding of the relevant issues. Participants felt they would be more involved in government decisions that affect their lives following the Assembly experience.
Full report
Citizens’ Assembly on the Long-Term Plan: An evaluation of Wellington City Council’s pilot in deliberative democracy (708KB PDF)
Contact us
For more information, contact the Research and Evaluation team.
Email: WCCResearch@wcc.govt.nz