English: Traditional forms of participation and consultation have been widely criticised as limited, but there is also resistance to expanding citizen involvement in decision making. This raises the question of how to achieve democratic legitimacy. New Zealand’s government is encouraging innovative deliberative techniques, including citizens’ juries, in local authority decision making. One very contentious experiment has dampened New Zealand’s enthusiasm for citizens’ juries. This article reviews that experience and makes some comparisons with Britain. It also reviews another initiative: a tribunal deciding whether to continue fluoridation of a municipal water supply. Finally, the article considers prospects for fostering more effective citizen engagement in community decisions in New Zealand.