Lobbying From Within: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Analysis of Local Government New Zealand’s Influence on National Policies

Abstract

This thesis examines the policy influence of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), a local government association (LGA), within the formal legislative process. Influence is measured through lobbying success, defined as the alignment between LGNZ’s parliamentary submissions and final legislation at the policy-issue level. By focusing on how an LGA lobbies to shape national policy outcomes, this thesis contributes to the understanding of a largely overlooked area in the interest group literature.

Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design, this thesis quantitatively analysed 453 policy issues across 37 randomly selected pieces of legislation to assess the extent of LGNZ’s lobbying success and to identify associated institutional, organisational, and issue-based factors. A subsequent qualitative case study of the Local Government Act Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2016 contextualised and explained statistical relationships by examining how these factors operated within a specific legislative setting.

The quantitative findings indicated that LGNZ had a moderate capacity to advance its policy preferences in final legislation, achieving favourable outcomes in half of all policy issues, a similar rate for technical amendments, and one-third for substantive changes to government policy intent. LGNZ’s success was associated with centre-right governments; agreement with LGNZ’s position by government officials, select committees, and coalition or support parties; strong council support; and LGNZ testifying before select committees, seeking technical over substantive policy changes, and using supporting evidence. The case study broadly confirmed and extended statistical relationships, illustrating how LGNZ navigated the political landscape through a combination of insider and outsider lobbying tactics. However, the case study reframed the statistical link between governing party and success, suggesting that it was better explained by consultation timing or policy alignment than partisan ideology.

This thesis sheds light on LGNZ’s policy influence and offers insights into how other LGAs may enhance their advocacy within formal legislative processes. It advances the literature by demonstrating that an LGA can successfully employ outsider lobbying tactics despite being largely seen as an insider lobbyist, and that influence may arise from an interaction of factors rather than in isolation, as previous studies have largely considered.