This book is concerned with the external and internal worlds of party politics in New Zealand and is organized around around two central themes. The first explores the reconfiguration of the two-party system into a multiparty one in which up to seven or eight parties regularly win parliamentary seats and coalitions are the standard form of government. The second delves inside the parties to consider the issue of political participation. In light of the recent history of political reform in New Zealand, it is imperative that the role and influence of parties and the party system be rigourously reassessed and this book is an admirable contribution to that endeavour.