Children will be surprised to find out how much the Government does to keep our country running smoothly. Here, Maria Gill invites younger readers to discover how New Zealand is run and why it is necessary to have laws. Children will learn about how the government implements decisions about what is best for the country, and how to accommodate people who have differing views. In simple accessible language and employing fact boxes, statistics, photos and engaging cartoons, the book features who's who in central government, such as the governor-general, prime minister, cabinet and MPs and then judges, the police force and local government too. There are spreads devoted to the New Zealand currency, citizenship, and the role of the media, with a strong section on voting and the electoral system to encourage children about the importance of their future vote.

Author Biography

Maria Gill has written over 20 non-fiction children's books for the book trade and educational markets. She regularly visits schools and libraries around the country promoting New Zealand books. She has published five titles with New Holland including New Zealand Hall of Fame (Children's Choice Non-fiction category winner at the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards 2012) The Call of the Kokako (a Storylines Notable Non-fiction Book in 2012) and Eruption! Discovering New Zealand volcanoes. Malcolm Evans' cartoons appear daily in three major New Zealand newspapers, The Manawatu Standard, The Timaru Herald and The Christchurch Press.