This is Step 2 in our 5-part Election Readiness Guide for advocacy organisations. Start with Step 1: Strategy.
With the election set for 7 November, many advocacy organisations are thinking about how to make the most of this moment. But without strong internal alignment and intentional power-sharing, even well-resourced campaigns can struggle to create lasting change.
In this step, we look at how to build alignment across your organisation and campaign, not just through consistent messaging, but through genuinely shared power and decision-making.
Election Readiness Step 2:
Build alignment and share power
Effective advocacy happens when every part of your organisation and campaign works towards the same goals, and when power, voice, and decision-making are genuinely shared rather than concentrated or controlled.
Align grasstops and grassroots
Connect your high-level lobbying (grasstops) with your public organising (grassroots). These efforts should reinforce each other, with insights, relationships, and energy flowing both ways. Grassroots and grasstops work best when they operate in partnership — not in a hierarchical or unequal relationship.
Share power, don’t just coordinate activity
Alignment is not just about communication and consistent messaging; it’s also about how power is held and shared. Effective campaigns work with communities, partners, and supporters by:
- involving those most affected in shaping priorities and messages
- sharing ownership of campaign asks, spokespeople, and actions
- being transparent about who makes decisions and how others can influence them.
Exercise allyship and honour Te Tiriti
For many organisations, this may involve reflecting on how power is used and shared, particularly in relation to Māori as tangata whenua. Election periods can be an opportunity to consider how advocacy work supports rangatiratanga, honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and avoids extractive or tokenistic engagement. Allyship, in this sense, may involve using your influence to open doors, shift systems, and make space for others.
Internal clarity and cohesion
There is essential internal work required to support alignment and power-sharing:
- be clear on your objectives and theory of change, and make it easy for everyone to access these in a concise, clear format.
- Get everyone speaking the same language and following the same strategy. An agreed messaging and framing guide with practical examples helps keep people on the same page.
Make sure staff, volunteers, board members, and partners are aligned in both purpose and approach. Everyone should have a meaningful role and feel that their time and effort matter. Check in regularly and create space for questions and reflection.
Ready to dive deeper?
Download this step as a PDF, including reflection questions to help assess your organisation's strategic readiness for Election 2026.
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