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Government Impact on Me

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Government Impact on Me

Investigate how decisions made by government can shape everyday life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Read the case study, then answer each question. For open questions, answers shown are examples; other well-supported answers may also be correct.

Case study: The school-route proposal

Mei and her neighbours are concerned that cars travel quickly past a busy crossing near a school. They ask their local council to investigate. The council could consider options such as improving the crossing, changing the road layout, or lowering the speed limit on that road. It would need to check safety, costs, and community feedback before deciding what to do. Councils manage local roads and many local services. Central government makes national laws and sets national policies, and it funds some services and infrastructure. A proposal is not a decision: the responsible organisation must consider its powers, evidence, costs, and the people affected.

1.Which organisation would usually be the first one to contact about changing the layout of this local road?

The local council
The school board
The New Zealand Parliament
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand

2.True or false? Because residents have asked for a lower speed limit, the council must agree to it.

TrueFalse

3.Name two kinds of evidence the council could gather before deciding whether to improve the crossing.

4.Match each government level or organisation with the example that best fits its role.

Local council
Central government
School board

Makes governance decisions for its school
Manages local roads and considers local crossing improvements
Makes national laws and sets national policies

5.Fill in the blank: A government decision that sets a plan or approach for dealing with an issue is often called a .

6.Fill in the blank: A rule that people are legally required to follow is a .

7.Give one likely benefit and one possible cost or drawback of improving the crossing.

8.Whose views should the council seek before making a decision? Name at least three groups and briefly explain why each might have a useful perspective.

9.A student says, “The council should only listen to people who live right beside the crossing.” Give one reason this view might be too limited.

10.Put these steps in a sensible order by writing 1–4: ___ The council considers options and decides. ___ Residents raise a concern. ___ The council gathers evidence and feedback. ___ The change is carried out and its effects are checked.

11.Imagine the council decides not to change the road. Write a short, respectful message asking it to explain its decision and describing one piece of evidence or alternative you would like it to consider.