Books and Other Publications
Below is a list of stand-alone works published by the McGuinness Institute.
Physical copies of some of these publications are available to purchase through our online store.
Nation Voices (first edition)
Coming in 2026
The Institute is currently working on the first edition of Nation Voices – Significant premier and prime ministerial speeches that shaped New Zealand.
Learn more about Nation Voices.
Nation Dates (sixth edition)
Coming in 2026
More than just a record of the past, Nation Dates provides invaluable context for the future at a time when society is facing major questions about the way forward. Threads link related events and illustrate patterns that have formed over time.
The sixth edition will include entries from 1769 to 2026.
Learn more about Nation Dates.
COVID-19 Nation Dates (third edition)
Coming in 2026
COVID-19 Nation Dates presents a timeline of significant COVID-19-related events that took place in, or impacted, Aotearoa New Zealand.
The dates in this book will include significant events that happened from January 2020 to March 2026.
Learn more about COVID-19 Nation Dates.
COVID-19 Nation Dates (additional dates since September 2024)
August 2025
This mini book includes dates, tables and figures that are additional to the second edition of COVID-19 Nation Dates: A New Zealand timeline of significant events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The additional dates in this book include significant events that happened after September 2024. This mini book has been designed as a work in progress and will be updated as needed. This might be due to new events, newly released Cabinet papers or the results of our OIA requests.
Government Department Strategies Index Handbook 2024
April 2025
The 2024 GDS Index aims to illustrate how New Zealand might strengthen GDSs to make them more effective, responsive, measurable, comparable and durable through public consultation, engagement and ownership.
The Institute regularly updates the Handbook so that information can be measured, analysed and tracked over time. This is the fourth update.
Download (PDF, 8 MB)
Government Department Strategies Index Handbook 2023
December 2024
The 2023 GDS Index aims to illustrate how New Zealand might strengthen GDSs to make them more effective, responsive, measurable, comparable and durable through public consultation, engagement and ownership.
The Institute regularly updates the Handbook so that information can be measured, analysed and tracked over time. This is the third update.
Download (PDF, 7 MB)
COVID-19 Nation Dates (second edition)
September 2024
COVID-19 Nation Dates presents a timeline of significant COVID-19-related events that took place in, or impacted, Aotearoa New Zealand.
This edition includes a total of 706 entries to cover the timeline of 23 January 2020 to mid- to late 2024. These additional entries provide a more comprehensive list of COVID-19 events, including old entries that have been updated in response to feedback on the previous edition, as well as new entries to reflect the latest available information.
Learn more about COVID-19 Nation Dates.
Nation Dates (fifth edition)
2023
Nation Dates presents timelines of significant events that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand as a nation.
Threads link related events and illustrate patterns that have formed over time. More than just a record of the past, Nation Dates provides invaluable context for the future at a time when society is facing major questions about the way forward.
Learn more about Nation Dates.
Purchase Nation Dates (fifth edition).
Foresight Tools
August 2023
Foresight tools help us brainstorm ideas about the future so we are better prepared for opportunities and challenges that may arise. They also provide the ability to engage forward, interacting early before issues become difficult to manage. This booklet outlines 20 foresight tools to use as you look to the future.
Government Department Strategies Index Handbook 2021
June 2022
The GDS Index aims to illustrate how New Zealand might strengthen GDSs to make them more effective, responsive, measurable, comparable and durable through public consultation, engagement and ownership.
The Institute regularly updates the Handbook so that information can be measured, analysed and tracked over time. This is the second update.
Download (PDF, 20 MB)
Āpōpō Journal
December 2018
Āpōpō Journal was a unique publication developed by and for New Zealanders aged 18–25, to help them shape their long-term future. It provided space for users to reflect on their past experiences, plan for today and prepare for tomorrow. Āpōpō Journal celebrated the diversity of New Zealand and illustrated the importance of using hindsight, insight and foresight to navigate future pathways.
The Āpōpō Journal is no longer available to purchase.
ForesightNZ playing cards
November 2016
The ForesightNZ playing cards are an output of the 2016 ForesightNZ workshop.
Purchase ForesightNZ playing cards.
Download (PDF, 1 MB)
Government Department Strategies Handbook 2018
May 2019 – December 2020
On 2 May 2019 the Institute launched the 2018 GDS Index. For the first time the Institute also published the Government Department Strategies Handbook – He Puna Rautaki. GDS Index research contributes to the McGuinness Institute’s Project StrategyNZ.
The GDS Index aims to illustrate how New Zealand might strengthen GDSs to make them more effective, responsive, measurable, comparable and durable through public consultation, engagement and ownership.
Learn more about the GDS Index.
Download (PDF, 11.3 MB)
Revisiting Tomorrow Newspaper 1976–1991
October 2019
On Wednesday 30 October 2019 the McGuinness Institute hosted a panel discussion at the National Library between Rt Hon Jim Bolger and former members of the Commission for the Future and the New Zealand Planning Council. They considered the impacts of these organisations followed by reflections on how we might embed foresight into public policy in 2020 and beyond. The Revisiting Tomorrow newspaper explores this legacy.
Download (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Mātauranga
Mātauranga was produced as a koha for participants, speakers and special guests of the 2017 WakaNZ: Navigating with foresight workshop. It contains a collection of inspirational whakataukī (wisdoms, proverbs, poetry and invocations) selected by each of the 34 workshop participants.
Learn more about the Mātauranga booklet.
This booklet is no longer available to purchase.
TalentNZ Journal
2013/14
We asked 30 kiwis 7 questions and in return we received 210 ideas. These 30 interviews, undertaken by the two winners of the Sir Paul Callaghan Science Meets Humanities Scholarships Charlotte Greenfeld and Darren Zhang, focus on talent and make up the first and major narrative of this journal.
Learn more about Project TalentNZ.
Download (PDF, 16.2 MB)