Researchers say 51.6% of the 153 charities surveyed feared losing contracts or grants as a result of criticising government actions.

Nearly a third of the charities thought debate was silenced or actively silenced by Government.

The report states that:

"The relationship between the state and civil society was altered from 1984 with the rise of the neo-liberal contract state.

This "market liberal" model of interest group politics "...depicts interest groups as self-interested, "vested" interests, seeking special advantages or "privileges" for themselves which are contrary to the public interest and to the long term prospects of the country"

"This view" the report says, "is found in the speeches and writings of New Zealand's political architect of neo-liberalism, Roger Douglas.

In one speech he noted that interest group lobbying served only to slow down the pace of economic reform.

Source

• Radio New Zealand
• Victoria University of Wellington
• Image i.telegraph.co.uk