Hurihia to aroaro ki te ra tukuna to atarangi kia taka ki muri i a koe

01/01/2023

This is one of my favourite whakataukī. I first saw it used by Te Ohu Kaimoana to bring iwi together to complete the fisheries settlement. In watching that work, I think the whakataukī means to let the shadows fall behind us, so we may see one another’s faces.

It’s our version of sunlight being the best disinfectant. It is also how I see the revolving door phenomenon in Aotearoa. This post covers how I define revolving doors and why they matter.

A revolving door refers to the movement of a person into and out of crucial policymaking and decision-making roles in the executive, parliament and legislative branches, as well as the regulatory agencies.

There are six main types:

Industry-to-government, through which corporate executives are appointed to key roles in government.

Government-to-industry, through which officials (elected and not) move to lucrative private-sector posts in which they may use their government experience and networks to unfairly benefit their new employer.

Lobbyist-to-government through which lobbyists move from the consultancy sector think tanks or trade associations into policy or decision-making positions in government.

Government-to-lobbyist, through which former lawmakers and executive-branch officials (elected or not) become paid advocates and use inside connections to advance corporate clients’ interests.

Regulated party to the regulator and visa versa raises the possibility of a bias in policy shaping the regulatory environment, enforcement and cost recovery or levies.

Journalists to Press Secretaries raises the possibility of a bias in reporting and shaping of the political authorising environment and context.

Why do they matter?

First, we do not know the scale, but we know this goes on.

Second, it undermines the integrity of public officials and, in particular, whether conflict-of-interests are appropriately managed to mitigate bias in shared decision-making.

Third, it’s hard to push back against the concern held by some that there are unduly cosy relationships between influential people shaping the decision-making across Aotearoa’s pubic institutions.

Finally, there is a sense that without a public register of conflicts of interest or a cooling-off period, one is left with inequitable and unequal access to shaping policy or influencing decision-making.

Time for a tidy-up. Time to see the sun on everyone’s faces.