About us
WEAll Aotearoa is a non-partisan and independent ‘think and do’ tank working to redesign Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy around the wellbeing of our people and te taiao.
We use an evidence-informed approach and focus upstream to develop practical, long-term solutions for the public good.
We are a registered charity and funded through philanthropic grants and donations. Support us.
Why do we need a Wellbeing Economy?
Despite rising levels of GDP we are seeing growing inequality, people are caught in cycles of poverty and despair, unable to find warm and safe housing or to buy healthy kai for the whole family. Nature is groaning under the weight of human exploitation and wasteful behaviour.
Aotearoa is currently exceeding 6 of 9 planetary boundaries.
Two thirds of New Zealanders think that our economy is rigged in favour of the rich and powerful.
The poorest half of New Zealanders own only 2% of the wealth.
Our vision
Our vision is a more prosperous Aotearoa as measured by the wellbeing of our communities, the health of our environment, and the inclusiveness of our societies, not just GDP.
A Wellbeing Economy puts our human and planetary needs at the centre of its activities, ensuring that these needs are all equally met, by design.
Our theory of economic systems change
To transition to a wellbeing economy we know we are going to need to share knowledge, embrace new narratives about the economy, and foster connections between diverse groups of people.
This is because knowledge helps people understand the role the economic system plays, narratives change what people believe is possible, and connections strengthen our collective capacity to act. Together, these shifts build what is needed to transition to a wellbeing economy.
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Share and create new knowledge about economic systems so that people understand how the economy works, why it produces the outcomes it does, and how it can be changed.
Demonstrate a wellbeing economy in practice so that people can see alternatives to the current dominant economic system.
Support decision makers to implement wellbeing economy strategies in practice.
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Redefine the boundaries of economic possibilities so that alternatives to the status quo become visible, credible and are seen to be achievable.
Paint a vision of a wellbeing economy that inspires people of all walks of life to participate.
Amplify existing mahi towards a wellbeing economy so people can see that it is possible, and people see themselves as having a role in creating economic systems change.
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Build a movement and support and connect networks of people and organisations working towards a wellbeing economy so knowledge, resources, learning and opportunities are shared and collective action is strengthened.
Strengthen connections between groups so people and organisations act with greater influence.
Wellbeing Economy Strategies
We are part of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll). WEAll can be thought of as an umbrella organisation, uniting people and organisations all over the world who are working to redesign our economic system to prioritise people and the planet.
With hubs worldwide, the alliance connects thousands of initiatives grounded in a variety of schools of thought, all contributing to a shared vision of a more just economy.
Importantly, WEAll doesn’t aim to override or absorb any one approach. Instead, it honours the differences while emphasising shared values and goals. We know that if we are going to create global system change, we need to be collaborative and action-oriented.
These are some of the Wellbeing Economy strategies:
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Circular Economy
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Regenerative Economy
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Doughnut Economics
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Post Growth
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Solidarity Economy
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Common Good Economy
Our Partners
Our partners are organisations we have worked with to further the vision of a Wellbeing Economy.
