C I T I Z E N ' S A S S E M B L Y - a rulebook on making your own rules

The public (that's you!) is invited to join and vote in a lively participatory assembly on Wellington housing. Finally - we might get somewhere!

Presented as part of City Theatre's Symposium Collection, Joel has seriously zhooshed up one of the most just, yet most chaotic, forms of governance: Letting the people decide.

The Citizens Assembly is a theatrical provocation, a demonstration of what direct democracy could look like, and an opportunity for everyday citizens to participate in debate and decision-making processes that acknowledge Te Tiriti and Te Ao Māori in their conception.

How do you run one of these shenanigans? What can be learned from the process? What ideas can we - the citizens - come up with that government could not?

This participatory event is an exploration of the potential of Citizens Assemblies in solving seemingly impossible political issues. We will look at how this democratic model of public debate has been applied overseas and consider where such a process might sit in the context of Aotearoa’s existing political institutions and tikanga Māori. We’ll conduct a short practical experiment using the present-day housing crisis as a case study, using theatrical and musical elements to liven and enhance the political process.

All welcome. Join us on
Saturday 13 February // 10am - 12pm
Frank Kitts Park Outdoor Auditorium
Rain venue: City Gallery Wellington Adam Auditorium

Presented by Joel Baxendale and Sepelini Mua'au, with live music from Michael Costello, Thomas Friggens and Callum Allardice.