There’s a quiet frustration across Aotearoa New Zealand. Not just about politics, but about the whole system.
People are working hard, doing everything right, and still falling through the cracks. They’re tired of institutions that feel distant, slow, or broken. Tired of talking about equity, without feeling it. Tired of systems that were never designed for care, for inclusion, or for change.
And they’re right.
Our current governance system was designed in a different century, for a different world. It is centralised, adversarial, and short-term by nature. It concentrates power far from the people it affects. And it treats participation like an event, not a relationship.And we all know this, right?
But what if this isn’t just a failure of performance?
What if it’s a failure of philosophy?
What If Governance Is Supposed to Help Us Thrive?
What if governance wasn’t just about administering policy, but about ensuring that everyone:
- Has access to healthcare, education, digital connection, and a warm and safe home
- Can participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their life
- Feels seen, valued, and empowered to shape their future
Then we’d need a governance system that:
- Values care as much as commerce
- Measures wellbeing, not just growth
- Shares power – not just promises it
We’ve been told that changing “the system” is too hard. Too idealistic. Too complex.
But that’s not true.
Big changes are already happening – locally, globally, and often below the radar.
They’re happening in cities like Barcelona, where citizens co-write policies with government.
They’re happening in communities here in Aotearoa, where decision-making is shifting back to whānau, hapū, and local voices.
They’re happening wherever people are asking: “What would it look like to govern for the next 100 years, not just the next 3?”
So Here’s What We’re Building
We’re exploring a new philosophy of governance – one that places people, place, and purpose at the centre.
It doesn’t have a name yet (we’re trying out ideas like Mana Ora, Symbiotic Democracy, or Intergenerative Governance).
But it’s guided by principles like:
- Collective wellbeing over individual gain
- Intergenerational responsibility
- Digital and social inclusion as a right
- Participation as a continuous relationship – not a tick-box
And we’re not just imagining it – we’re mapping how to get there from where we are.
Yes, the system feels impossible to change. But we are the system.
Would Love Your Thoughts
If you’ve ever worked inside government, been disillusioned by politics, or dreamed of a system that feels like it was built for you – I’d love to hear from you.
What do you think a governance system for the 21st century should look like?
What would it take for people to believe in it again?
Comment, message, or share this with someone who’s been holding the same questions.
Let’s rebuild what it means to govern – together.