Showing up for Future Generations
Kia ora,
This weekend Aotearoa will decide on the next government. There are many different visions for our country, but sadly most of them are still framed by goals of economic growth, without questioning the harm of doing more of the same, just faster.
Across the world, we see a rise in youth protest movements. With the social contract fraying, and young people likely to be worse off than their parents, they face an uncertain future. It’s no wonder then that young people are using their voice to demand change.
Take the student movement in India, which reclaimed their name ‘Cockroaches’, and the student protests spreading through France. The election victory for Student List in Serbia this last week showed how young people can respond to a disaster with active democracy and win. The people-powered movement saw students organising and building a diverse coalition across the country, leading to the highest voter turnout the country has seen since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. The slate of candidates now headed for Parliament was selected by student assemblies.
Victories like this provide a roadmap for affecting real democratic change by giving young people agency and an active part in creating our governments and our economy.
The youth we work with aren’t disengaged; they're just feeling unheard. We support a rangatahi-led campaign, Tomorrow Together, run by a group of young changemakers who are passionate about a range of issues and who are highly engaged. We’re incredibly proud of these leaders. Who’s better placed to speak for future generations than the generation itself?
Rangatahi-led grassroots campaigns have successfully enrolled youth across the motu! Despite changes to enrolment rules, approximately 74.2% of 18 to 24-year-olds are enrolled, up significantly from 53.9% on 31 July this year. Now we need to ensure we get as many people to vote as possible, to have their say in the future.
We want to rally our audience to encourage as many people to vote as possible, especially those who will live the longest with the political decisions made today. So please hit up the group chat, message the family WhatsApp, call your nieces and nephews, or your younger siblings and cousins.
We’ve just published our annual report that gives a great overview of the impact we’ve had and the mahi we’ve been busy working on. Have a read of it here.
You might have seen our viral video over the weekend using hot chips to illustrate youth inequality. If you'd like to help us get our message out to more people, please consider chipping in, and if you aren’t already, please consider becoming a member today. We are a fast-growing movement leading real change, and it is an exciting time to join the groundswell.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Gareth and the WEAll Aotearoa team
Wellbeing economy news
Opportunity Party announces a Future Generations Act. WEAll Aotearoa welcomes the Opportunity Party’s commitment to campaign for a Future Generations Act, joining support from across the political spectrum. 18-year-old Nate Wilbourne, who stewards the campaign for an Act through Tomorrow Together, says, “We’re delighted by Opportunity’s backing. Our launch was supported by the youngest MPs from National, Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori, as well as former Prime Ministers Jim Bolger and Sir Geoffrey Palmer. This is something that resonates across party lines.”
Big milestones for our research economist Paul Dalziel’s book, which he coauthored with two colleagues in 2018. Wellbeing Economics: The capabilities approach to prosperity now has 100 scientific citations and over 130,000 downloads. Congratulations to Paul on this achievement – it shows our work is built on solid foundations. We’re so lucky to be working alongside you.
Events this month
Wellbeing Economy Book Club with Sally Hett: Dirty Work by Nicky Hager
Tuesday, 10 November 2026
7:00 – 8:30 pm
At this next book club we will be discussing the third book in the Dirty Politics series by Nicky Hager, come along and join the discussion.
Tuesday, 17 November 2026
7:00 – 8:00 pm
On this Supporters’ Call we will test some narratives from our next Blueprint publication, a wellbeing economy sprint idea, and ask what you’d want to learn from a national organising tour.
Ecocivilization: Making a world that works for all with author Jeremy Lent
Wednesday, 18 November 2026
1:00 – 2:15 pm
What comes after capitalism? How do we make a world that works for all? Please join us for a discussion with author, speaker, and activist Jeremy Lent.
Tuesday, 24 November 2026
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Curious to find out more about what a Wellbeing Economy is and how to get there? Join us for a free one-hour webinar that will explore: Introduction to Wellbeing Economy and How to get involved.
Wednesday, 18 November 2026
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Brothers Beer & Juke Joint BBQ
Wednesday, 18 November 2026
5:30 – 7:00 pm
The Rogue & Vagabond
Monday, 23 November 2026
5:30 – 7:00 pm
The Free House Pub
Wednesday, 25 November 2026
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Dux Central
Recommendations
Listen to Gareth in conversation with Community Housing Aotearoa, placing housing inside a wider economic system – he argues that lasting reform requires redesigning institutions, incentives and long-term decision-making rather than merely treating symptoms.
Contribute to research on advancing a Wellbeing Economy, specifically the conditions needed in Aotearoa. Our friend Chris Martin at the University of Tokyo conducted 63 interviews earlier in the year; right now, he is conducting a survey examining perceptions of actions to advance economic transformation.
Read one of the many interesting reports by our friends from the last few months!
Realising Aotearoa New Zealand's Full Potential from Circular by Nature.
A vision of transport for Aotearoa from the crew at All Aboard.
The case for AI degrowth is still percolating in our minds.
Who owns our health system? How public funding is driving private profit from Public Futures.
Quote of the month
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei.
For us and our children after us.
— Ngāi Tahu whakatauki