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!
The short answer is: almost anything. Whether it's a niche industry regulation, a funding decision, a piece of legislation, or greater awareness around an important community kaupapa—if government has a hand in it, it can be lobbied!
The more useful question is whether lobbying is the right tool for your situation, and what a realistic outcome looks like? That's something we're happy to talk through with you; at no cost, and with no obligation. Helping you figure that out is part of what we do.
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.
Awhi is the most transparent firm in New Zealand. We have our pricing and services list available to review by anyone, at any time.
If you're looking to get started without the commitment start by subscribing to PolitiPal®, our our free monthly pānui tracking legislation before the House and serving up political takes worth knowing. You can subscribe free to begin building your own political edge.
At Awhi, we love what we do—and we hold ourselves to a standard that reflects that.
We've been vocal (and continue to be) advocates for change within our own industry, because we believe lobbying with integrity is good for everyone. As one of Aotearoa New Zealand's fastest growing firms (that invests back into our industry), we know it's the people who trust us with their kaupapa who make us what we are.
Those we represent—not those we lobby—are at the heart of everything we do.
When you work with Awhi, you can expect:
- transparent communication from start to finish
- high-integrity individuals who take your kaupapa as seriously as you do
- a kaupapa Māori organisation that sets the bar rather than just clearing it.
We'll always tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. If that's not what you're looking for, we're probably not the right fit—and we're both better off knowing that!
Āe! Yes! New Zealand's government relations sector is unregulated, so knowing who you can trust matters.
To take the guesswork out of that, we launched our Lobbying Principles at www.lobbyist.nz in February 2024. The 12 principles span six areas and are freely available to anyone seeking to influence government, policy, or legislation in Aotearoa. Their purpose is straightforward: to set clear best-practice expectations for lobbying, so that everyone involved in influencing government decisions understands their responsibility to uphold public trust in our democracy.
Our Lobbying Principles apply to all Awhi employees and every piece of work we carry out. If you're considering working with us, we encourage you to read them first.
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.
Transparency isn't a talking point, it's how we operate. In line with our Lobbying Principles, Awhi proactively discloses the clients we represent. As at 9 June 2026, we are proud to work alongside:
- Catalyst
- Civil Contractors New Zealand
- Driving Change Network
- Hauraki Gulf Forum
- Mates in Construction
- Payments NZ
- Portacom
- Te Pouahi o Te Taitokerau
- Tuatahi First Fibre
- Whiti Reo Limited
- Youth Inspire
Our name became Awhi in June 2021, which was a deliberate choice to better reflect the work we do across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We didn't take that lightly. Before adopting an ingoa Māori (Māori name), we commissioned a paper exploring the history of the word awhi, its modern uses, and what it means to use it in a business context.
This paper is freely available for anyone to read at anytime, however we do not claim the mātauranga as it is the work of the author, Dr. Vincent Olsen-Reeder. You're welcome to read it on our website at any time.
At its heart, awhi means to embrace, enfold, surround, nurture, and support. That's exactly how we approach our work. We don't just represent clients—we invest in their kaupapa, and we're genuinely committed to the outcomes that matter to them.
There's no minimum size, you don't even need to be a business. Awhi works with organisations and individuals of all kinds: companies large and small, trusts, charities, incorporated societies, post-settlement governance entities (PSGEs), community groups, and everything in between. If you have a matter that could be shaped by government decision-making, we're interested in talking.
When it comes to effective engagement it isn't how big you are, the focus is on what you're trying to achieve.
Before anything else, we'll work with you to get clear on what outcome you're seeking, why it matters, and whether government relations is the right tool to help you get there.
If you're not sure where to start, that's exactly what the first conversation is for. It won't cost you anything, and it might change everything.
Lobbying can take many forms. At Awhi, we are big believers in whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building) which is the foundation of everything we do.
That philosophy is best captured by a kōrero our founder, Holly Bennett, heard when working with her people from Te Arawa: "Stay easy on the relationship, stay hard on the kaupapa."
It's a saying that both inspires and guides how we work.
Choosing Awhi means choosing a firm that stays alongside you for the entire journey—from identifying your goals and mapping the pathway to achieve them, through to implementation and getting you in front of the people who matter. We don't just open doors. We walk through them with you.
While lobbying is what we're known for it's far from all we do. Awhi brings together expertise across government relations, communications, policy, and stakeholder engagement. Whatever stage you're at, and whatever challenge you're facing, we have the skills to help you navigate it.
We offer:
- Communications support — making sure your message is clear, compelling, and landing with the right people
- Crisis communications — steady, strategic advice when the stakes are high and time is short
- Reputation management — protecting and building how your organisation is seen by those who matter
- Select Committee presentations — preparing you to present with confidence and credibility at Parliament
- Submission drafting — via The Submission Machine, our dedicated tool for crafting submissions that get noticed
- Strategic counsel — direct, one-on-one advice with our Managing Director, Holly Bennett, for when you need straight talk from the top.
If you're not sure what you need, start a kōrero and we'll point you in the right direction; even if that direction isn't us.
Possibly more than you think.
Small businesses are often the most directly affected by changes to legislation, regulation, and policy, and yet they're the least likely to have a seat at the table when those decisions are being made. Government relations isn't just for big corporations with dedicated public affairs teams. It's for anyone whose operations, costs, or customers could be shaped by what happens in Wellington.
Remember, sometimes the smallest of organisations can have the most powerful message.
Thinking about starting your own government relations or communications firm? Holly Bennett, our Managing Director, has done it, and she wants to help you do it too.
Holly is a strong advocate for more competition and more voices in this industry. She works directly with budding advocates and entrepreneurs to help them launch their own firms, build a sustainable client base, and grow to the point of employing people full-time—without needing external investment.
In start up phase technology is your ally. Here are some of the key platforms Awhi uses in its day to day operations (using these links means we may get a commission):
If you're ready to back yourself, let's talk about what's possible.
You can find us at Level 1, 1A York Street, Te Tī Tutahi (Newmarket), Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).
If you're looking for directions, you can find us on Google Maps.
Ready to take the next step? Hit the Let’s Kōrero button at the top of the page and tell us a little about what you're working on. We'll review what you share and come back to you to set up a kōrero.
No jargon or hard sell (who has time for that?!); just a direct conversation on how we can help you be heard.
