Another New Zealand Experiment: A Code of Social and Family Responsibility takes a hard look at a recent example of a proposed change to social policy in the context of New Zealand’s political and social history. While there has been a trend to reduce government intervention in many aspects of national life over the last three decades, an emphasis has also been given by those of both the right and left to concepts of community, partnership and responsibility. ‘The family’ is constantly posed as of paramount concern in social policy.

This book describes a recent New Zealand experiment – the idea of having a Code of Social and Family Responsibility (CSFR) to define what can be expected of people in relation to what government does through its social policies. The book is therefore a case study in social policy intervention.

It describes the progress of the CSFR initiative, from its antecedence to its outcomes. It analyses the responses to it, both those replying on the form that accompanied the proposal and those that were vociferously presented in the New Zealand media. In addition, the book places the CSFR in an international context, and discusses the issues of ‘The Third Way’, social capital, shared responsibility and the role of the state.

Judith Davey’s six chapters are followed by comments from John Angus, Derek Wallace, Jonathan Boston and Colin James.