Dr Claire Robinson: Political Promises

It’s just over one year until the 2026 election. Dr Claire Robinson, author of the book Promises Promises: 80 Years of Wooing New Zealand Voters, talked about her research into New Zealand’s political advertising history and what we might look forward to in the next election.

Claire Robinson (@spinprofessor) has spent much of her career identifying and observing political spin, unpacking and explaining how words and images wielded by people in immense power impact on people without them being aware of it.

Claire showed some of New Zealand’s most iconic political ads, and explained that she used the resources of the Alexander Turnbull Library when researching the content for her book.

Now Chief Executive, Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, Claire is an administrator, academic, author, award-winning designer, political scientist and respected political commentator, with degrees in politics and design from Victoria University and Wellington Polytechnic and a PhD from Massey University. Prior to joining Toi Mai, she was Professor of Communication Design and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Massey University’s College of Creative Arts in Wellington.