Grant Gillon
Doctor of Philosophy, (Public Policy)
Study Completed: 2008
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
Formation, durability & susceptibility: Coalition traits that affected NZ MMP Governments 1996-2002
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Mr Gillon’s research examined the unique factors that contributed to the success or otherwise of New Zealand’s first three coalition governments under MMP from 1996 to 2002. Primarily using key informant interviews, Mr Gillon studied and assessed the relevant impacts of three influences on these coalitions, namely: policy, personality and opportunity. Mr Gillon’s research investigated the factors which contributed to each government’s formation, continuation or termination. Each of these stages was found to reflect the competing interests of the parties, with politicians motivated by, and juggling, conflicting goals. Mr Gillon’s research found that although parties'' policies and politicians'' ambitions were influential in determining the success of any coalition, a crucial and previously overlooked component is the inherent intra-party and inter-party relationships in a coalition.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Grant Duncan
Professor Peter Lineham
Professor Michael Belgrave
Professor Marilyn Waring