On Helicopter Rides

Here is a tip for lobbyists:

Promising a helicopter ride will increase the number of MPs who agree to visit your facilities. If you have access to other novelties (rides in a tugboat, visiting an operating theatre, etc), you should consider offering these inducements to attracts MPs to visit you.

This is from page 86 of the lobbying handbook, The Good Lobbyist’s Guide (2003), by Annabel Young, former National Party list MP.

Presumably this would work because a helicopter ride is  not an everyday experience for most MPs, and would offer an unforgettable experience. But it is now a decade since Young offered this advice.

Now it seems that a helicopter ride is so commonplace, that some politicians cannot remember whether they boarded a chopper or not, at least in the case of John Banks: http://www.3news.co.nz/Banks-knew-about-anonymous-Dotcom-donation—reports/tabid/817/articleID/252130/Default.aspx

 

 

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Child Poverty in New Zealand Seminar (8 May 2013)

Save the Children New Zealand in association with the Waiwhetu Uniting Church

is delighted to present a Seminar on

Child Poverty in New Zealand

Hear leading experts and commentators discuss a significant issue facing New Zealand society today.

7.30 pm, Wednesday, 8 May 2013

at the Waiwhetu Uniting Church, 6 Trafalgar Street (cnr Grenville & Trafalgar Sts) Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt

[Phone 04 569 5338 or 04 569 9635 for further information]

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PROGRAMME

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Opening remarks by the Chair, Arthur Davis, Immediate Past-President, Save the Children NZ
3. Deborah Morris-Travers, Manager of EveryChild Counts, an organisation committed to the well-being of children in New Zealand
4. Jonathan Boston, Co-Chair of the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty in New Zealand, who will outline the Group’s findings and recommendations
5. A Local Solution? A Community Project at one Lower Hutt School in response to this issue – Julia Milne, and Bunnie Willing, Principal, Epuni School

There will be opportunity for questions and comments after each speaker

Supper, and an opportunity to discuss the issues

A Koha to defray expenses, and donations for work in New Zealand supported by Save the Children, would be appreciated

PDF version of this flyer and programme: Child Poverty Event Programme May2013