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Lobbying—or government relations, as it's more commonly referred to in New Zealand—is the process of influencing policy and decision-making at any level of government, from your local council right through to Parliament.

In practice, it means engaging directly with the people who make decisions: Members of Parliament, Ministers, and public servants. The goal is to ensure that the issues affecting you, your organisation, or your community are understood and considered by those with the power to act on them.

Everyone has a stake in the decisions government makes. Lobbying is simply the process of making sure your voice is part of that conversation.

Essentially, yes. Lobbying, advocacy, government relations, political engagement—they are different terms for the same activity. The approach varies depending on your goals, your kaupapa (issue or cause), and who you need to influence.

To lobby well is to know how to leverage the right engagement opportunities at the right time—so that when you're in front of decision makers, they know who you are, what you do, why you're there, and how you can help each other.

Knowing what to say when you're in the room is just as important as getting in the room in the first place.

If you've made your way to our frequently asked questions, then you're probably wondering if you should take the next step and chat with us.

We get it, it can be scary! See if any of the following sound familiar, and if so, getting some formal advice is probably worth exploring:

• You want to influence a policy decision or be part of the conversation before it's made
• You're facing regulatory changes that could affect how you operate
• Your sector is evolving and you want to help shape its direction
• You want decision makers to know who you are before funding opportunities arise
• You have a perspective worth hearing and need help making sure it lands.

If you're nodding along, let's kōrero. A conversation costs nothing, and it might be the most useful one you have this year!

Fees vary across the industry, and because the sector is unregulated, it's worth asking hard questions before you engage anyone.

At Awhi, our pricing is guided by our Lobbying Principles: we commit to fees that are fair, reasonable, and transparent.

In fact, we're the most transparent firm in New Zealand; our full pricing and services list is publicly available for anyone to review, at any time. No inflated retainers, no vague deliverables. You'll always know what you're paying for and why.

If you're not satisfied, we want to know. Client outcomes aren't just a priority for us; they're the measure of whether we've done our job.

Not ready to commit yet? Start with Kei te aha a Pāremata (What's on at Parliament), our free preview of what's going on at Parliament, every time Parliament sits. It's the easiest way to build your political edge, with no obligation.

There are other government relations firms in Aotearoa but here's what sets Awhi apart. We are the most transparent firm in the country—our pricing is public, our Lobbying Principles are freely available, and we hold ourselves accountable to standards the rest of the industry is still catching up to. We didn't wait for regulation; we led.

Our Kaiwhakahaere (Managing Director), Holly Bennett, is a recognised voice across New Zealand's political landscape—a regular contributor to RNZ, Newsroom, and the Spinoff, a University of Auckland 40 Under 40 alumnus, and a Crown-appointed board member. She founded Awhi focused on a single mission: make engagement accessible to everyone.

We are values led. We are non-partisan. We are one of the fastest growing firms in the country. And we work just as hard for the small community kaupapa as we do for large organisations with a budget for corporate affairs.

If you want a firm that will tell you the truth, back your kaupapa, and walk you through the steps of change you never even knew existed, then let's start the journey now.