Kia Tika, Kia Pono—For A Just Society

This conference is developing a new way of thinking about Aotearoa New Zealand as a society. Our task is to imagine a new language with which to address the issues that we are facing and help us move towards a just society and economy.

Following on from work such as Marilyn Waring’s analysis of GDP as a flawed measure to analyse and Matthew Scobie and Anna Sturman’s work on economic possibilities of decolonisation we are inviting people to address new ways of interrogating our multiple and interconnected crises of climate change, ecological destruction, wealth inequality, and poverty.

This is hard work, but the work has started and this conference aims to contribute to a paradigm change that is urgently needed. We know enough of what is wrong—we have the evidence on the causes and harms of pay inequity, poverty, and systemic destructive racism. Now we need to build a new analytical narrative that takes us from an extractive to a just economy and society. The new language we are inviting speakers to contribute to could be the scaffolding we need to get the building blocks for a just society. Setting about creating an Aotearoa New Zealand that is built on notions of comprehensive, holistic justice we need to re-imagine how an Aotearoa with a future would look.

Economists, environmental and medical experts, social scientists, Iwi, and community organisations are warning that the health of our country is eroding. Decades of declining investment in state services and a dominant extractive politics have created an unbalanced country in which an increasing majority is struggling to make ends meet and an environment endangered by continuing exploitative practices and climate change. A reset is needed.

There are concepts emerging internationally and nationally that will help us develop a framework for a society built on equity and justice for all. This conference will be a kōrero of scholars, activists, community builders, economists, and legal experts. To imagine a just society we must be willing to engage in exploration together—the speakers and the audience.

Speakers include:

• Boyd Scirkovich (Strategic lead Ngāti Toa Rangatira)
• Marilyn Waring, James Belich, Meihana Durie, Carwyn Jones
• Gareth Hughes (Well Being Economy Alliance Aotearoa NZ)
• Frances Hancock and Pania Newton (SOUL—Save our unique Landscape, Ihumātao)
• Bianca Elkington (Iwi Education lead Ngāti Toa Rangatira)
• Clive Aspin and Heather Came (Marsden project leads ‘Honourable Kāwanatanga’)
• Fleur Fitzsymonds (PSA)
• Rebecca Kiddle (Director Te Manawahoukura)
• Leslynne Jackson (Maanakitairawhiti)
• Robert McClean and Ashleigh Sagar (Ngāti Toa Rangatira)

Optional field trip at additional cost. Places are limited.

1.30 pm—Bus leaves from Bunny Street, Wellington (outside Rutherford House), for Porirua.

Welcome at the waterfront, Porirua.
Short walk around the waterfront with kōrero about the history of the harbour.  
A visit to Kaitahi and an introduction to the BizHUB.

Visit to Pātaka Art + Museum and the Mutumutu ki mukukai waterways exhibition. Participants are to buy their own coffee/cake at the Pātaka café.

4.30 pm—Bus departs from Norrie Street, Porirua to Rutherford House, Wellington.

Register for the conference

View the programme