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Government in Practice

Get clarity on the New Zealand government decision-making process, the role of a policy professional, and different advice products. In partnership with FrankCapability.

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Online

Cost: $895 excl. GST
Duration: 6 Hours
CPD/PLD Hours: 6
Questions about this course?

13 Oct 2026 | Online

Sessions
Session 1 | 13 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Session 2 | 15 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Session 3 | 20 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Session 1 | 13 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Session 2 | 15 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Session 3 | 20 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Register

Course overview

This course builds the skills and knowledge required to understand how government makes decisions, navigate your role and deliver impactful advice. The course creates clarity on government decision-making processes and the role of the policy professional. It examines the four levels of government decision making (Ministry, Minister, Cabinet and Parliament) and breaks down the formal processes and requirements behind different advice products.

This course is best suited for graduates, subject matter experts who are new to government advisory roles, and any policy professional who would appreciate a refresh of the government decision-making process.

What you'll learn

By attending this course, you will learn:

  • how decision-making processes in government work, including opportunities to shape the process
  • your role in supporting government decision making
  • the purpose of different products for giving advice.

Module one: Understand the roles of Parliament, Cabinet, Ministers and Government Agencies

Know how government decision-making processes work, including opportunities to influence.

  • What is policy? It’s just about making decisions.
  • A day in the life: Ministry Chief Executive.
  • A day in the life: Minister.
  • A day in the life: Cabinet.
  • A day in the life: Parliament (focusing on Select Committee)

Module two: Understanding Your Advisory Role

Know your role in supporting government decision-making

  • Understand your context as a policy professional.
  • The different purposes of advice and products:
    • Tell the Minister something
    • Help the Minister make a decision
    • Support a decision maker to do something
    • Help with government accountability
    • Collect information
    • Communicate a message or direction.

Module three: Selecting the Right Advisory Products

Use different advisory products for different purposes.

  • Spotlight: Weekly report.
  • Spotlight: Oral PQ.
  • Spotlight: Taking an issue to Cabinet.
  • Stages of legislation.

Delivered By

Find out more

Joanne Dow

FACILITATOR

In partnership with

Further Information

This practical and engaging facilitator-led, live learning session is delivered online in three two-hour sessions. Learners can ask questions, share experiences and work through real challenges together. We provide all the supporting resources needed.

Course reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this course—it filled in a lot of gaps in my knowledge and gave me some really solid frameworks to build on as I consolidate my career in policy work.

Past Learner

A really well-run course that provided a practical overview of government decision-making and policy advice. The discussions, activities, and examples made it easier to understand how it all works.

Past Learner

The lecturers were clearly passionate about their work and extremely knowledgeable.

Past Learner

Upcoming Courses & Delivery Options

13 Oct 2026 | Online

Duration: 6 Hours

Sessions
Session 1 | 13 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Session 2 | 15 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Session 3 | 20 Oct 2:00pm - 4:00pm

$NZD 895

excl. GST

Register
Government in Practice