Source: WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand
New polling has found overwhelming public support (82%) for a law requiring governments to consider the long-term impacts of their decisions on future generations when they develop laws and policies.
There was strong support across the political spectrum, with 90% of Greens, 89% of ACT, and 87% of NZ First voters supporting the idea of politicians being legally required to consider the long-term impacts of their decisions.
The polling, conducted by Talbot Mills, was commissioned by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa (https://www.weall.org.nz) (WEAll Aotearoa) as part of their rangatahi-led, non-partisan campaign Tomorrow Together (https://www.weall.org.nz/tomorrowtogether). The cornerstone of the campaign is a call for a Future Generations Act for Aotearoa, inspired by the successful Welsh model (https://weall.org/resource/wellbeing-of-future-generations-wales-act/).
18-year old Nate Wilbourne, Future Generations Lead at WEAll Aotearoa, says the polling result shows the public wants to see politicians required to consider the impacts of today's decisions on the generations to come:
“This polling shows that Kiwis from across the political spectrum want our politicians to be required to make wise decisions for the long term. This is tradies, retirees, students and small business owners saying that politicians need to govern for a resilient, prosperous future, not just the next three years.”
“A Future Generations Act is common sense and doable. Wales has had a Future Generations Act since 2015, and Scotland, Australia and Finland are following suit.”
“Every big issue we’re grappling with right now – housing, climate, unemployment, cost of living, infrastructure – all these things are harder because we haven’t had strong enough long-term thinking, or enough willingness to make decisions that will take years to pay off. A Future Generations Act would make intergenerational fairness a legal requirement and in turn, push our leaders to plan for the long-run.”
“We are calling for political parties to work across the house to legislate a Future Generations Act.”
Additional polling from WEAll Aotearoa found 71% of New Zealanders believe that New Zealand’s economy is working “poorly” or “very poorly” for young people.
As Nate says, “This is what happens when we stop thinking about the long-term. This tells us we need to change course and start building an economy that works for people today and generations to come.”
Tom Rutherford said: “As one of Parliament's youngest MPs, I'm conscious that many of the decisions we make today will shape the New Zealand my generation and future generations inherit. We need to ensure long-term thinking is part of our decision-making, particularly on issues that cannot be solved in a single parliamentary term. I'm looking forward to contributing to a conversation about how we can build a better future for all New Zealanders.”
Arena Williams said: “Labour backs young people and is focused on building an affordable future here in Aotearoa with good jobs, healthcare when and where you need it, and warm homes. We must keep involving young people in politics and ensure their voices are included in the decisions that affect their lives.”