Mastering Policy Fundamentals: Government in Practice
Build the skills and knowledge required to understand how government makes decisions, navigate your role and deliver impactful advice.
Course overview
This 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. Through hands-on activities and real-world simulations, this course equips you to navigate the system with political savvy and apply insights directly into your work. This course is best suited for graduates, subject matter experts and anyone else new to government advisory roles, and any policy professional who would appreciate a refresh of the government decision-making processes.
In partnership with
What you'll learn
- How decision-making processes in government work, including opportunities to shape the process
- The policy professional’s role in supporting government decision making
- The purpose of different products for giving advice
Course modules:
Morning
- People and Processes:
- 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)
- Stages of legislation
- Policy products:
- 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.
Afternoon
Bringing it all together: A real life example to practice what’s needed for taking an issue to Cabinet and oral parliamentary questions.
Further Information
Format
This course is delivered as a full-day in-person workshop at our Wellington venue. It includes a mix of facilitator-led sessions, small-group exercises, and whole-group discussion. Group size is limited to 16 participants to ensure meaningful interaction and personal feedback. Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea are provided to support networking and collaboration.
Upcoming Courses & Delivery Options
03 Jul 2025 | Wellington
Duration: 1 day, 9.30am–4.30pm
$NZD 895
excl. GST
Can’t make these dates or want a private course?
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