This page describes and links to annotated bibliographies and literature reviews commissioned or written by the Electoral Commission on topics relating to Maori and Pacific peoples, and to efficacy and electoral participation.

Please acknowledge the use of these resources with a citation which includes mention of the author/compiler, the Electoral Commission as publisher, and the resource's availability on this website.

Click on a blue title to reach a full resource.

MMP bibliography

The Electoral Commission commissioned Helena Cook to compile this annotated bibliography of publicly accessible material that discusses the change to MMP and its consequences.

The participation and engagement of Māori in decision-making processes and other government initiatives. A literature review and annotated bibiliography prepared for the Electoral Commission

Research New Zealand was engaged by the Electoral Commission in 2006 to conduct a literature review and compile an annotated bibliography of work related to Māori participation and to social marketing to Māori that has been created within the public sector and which may have relevance to electoral participation.

Māori and Pacific peoples electoral participation in NZ - annotated bibliography

The Electoral Commission commissioned Kim Summersby to compile this annotated bibliography of publicly accessible material that talks about Māori electoral participation and publicly accessible material that talks about Pacific Island peoples’ electoral participation in New Zealand.  In compiling the bibliography no work was found relating primarily to Pacific Island peoples.

Youth civic participation - annotated bibliography

Researchers from the School of Political Science and Communication, University of Canterbury compiled this annotated bibliography of publicly accessible material that talks about youth civic participation.

Efficacy and electoral participation - annotated bibliography

The Electoral Commission commissioned Conor Roberts to compile this annotated bibliography of publicly accessible material that discusses efficacy and other related theories on why people participate (or not) in elections.

Now or never - electoral participation literature review

Political Science research indicates that political participation is a learnt habit which is in decline.  One strong predictor of levels of participation is efficacy, which refers to an individual’s perception of their ability to know what is going on, be heard and make a difference politically.  Another strong predictor is the extent to which people think an election is a real contest and therefore if it is worth voting.  Participation is declining as efficacy declines, elections are seen as less competitive and people do not acquire the habit of voting let alone other forms of political participation.  The most likely way to stop the decline in adult political participation is for students to acquire the habit at school.  A literature review provides a basis for this diagnosis.  By Dr Helena Catt, chief executive, Electoral Commission.

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