Our Government : Its Origins and Affect on Peoples Lives

The origins, development, and functions of systems of government, of voting, and of democracy at local and national levels is an Essential Learning area in the Social Sciences curriculum. Our Government addresses Identity, Culture and Organisation. It is about what government is and what it does, whether that government is of a small club or of a local area or of a nation. Although the setting is mainly New Zealand, other settings are used for comparison and illustration. Our Government links into the Processes of Inquiry, Values exploration and Social decision making. It aims to encourage voters and future voters to participate responsibly in society because of the skills and knowledge they have acquired.