Measuring the social impact of localism initiatives

Between a policy idea and its political take-up, many years can pass. But that makes it even more satisfying when it eventually happens.

New Zealand was on the brink of an abyss. Its smug and reckless government had burdened the economy with top-down planning, lost control of public finances and created a crisis of confidence in the Kiwi dollar.

In a courageous move, the New Zealand Government introduced a bill that would allow 16-year-olds to vote in local elections.