In the first half of the year I collated a resource called Intergenerational Ambition: A Wayfinding Tool for the Future. This led me to a deep dive into intergenerational fairness and future generations. You can read more about this later in the post. Once the resource was completed it was time to take action so my next step is asking civil society of Aotearoa New Zealand to ask some specific questions of our politicians.
When one person asks a question it can disappear into thin air. When five people ask a question it begins to capture attention. When 20 people ask a question we start to create a movement that infiltrates political awareness. At least that is the theory of action that is driving this little project.
#whatthefuture in action
Local body elections are scheduled for September/October 2025 and now is the time when candidates emerge from communities, offices and cracks in the wall to explain why they are the best choice for their city, district or region. They are suddenly more visible and this is an ideal time for us all to ask their opinions. I propose we ask questions that relate to intergenerational ambition and future generations. Hence the title #whatthefuture or #wtfNZ25
You are invited to create your own questions on this theme and submit them so we begin to have a pool of questions to use. These can also be used for future election conversations.
Starter Questions
General
These #whatthefuture questions are general enough to be asked of any candidate. Does one appeal to you? Use it!
- If elected how will you meet the needs of all your constituents not just the ones who voted for you or are politically aligned?
- How do you envisage that the voices of young people could be heard more frequently or with higher impact?
- What is your view about meeting the needs of today with planning for future generations?
- What are your priorities to meet the needs of today’s youth and investing in future generations?
- How would you balance the needs of today with that of future generations?
- How might you consider intergenerational fairness in developing policies for the future?
Specific
These #whatthefuture questions are examples of specific ones in a context. Identify the key issues that connect today’s realities with the needs of future generations. The examples below relate to the Christchurch City Council.
- City-wide Example: As part of its 2024-34 LTP the CCC set aside money for a Climate Resilience Fund. How will you ensure that this continues to be added to for future generations?
“Establishing the Fund allows the Council to begin accumulating resources now, helping to spread costs over time so that future generations are not solely burdened with the expense of adapting the Council’s assets to our changing climate. The Fund will be financed through a 0.25% rate increase starting in July 2025, with an additional 0.25% added each subsequent year, reaching a total increase of 2.25% by the end of the LTP period. This will enable the Fund to accumulate in the order of $127 million by the end of the 10-year period.”
- Example for the Central City Ward: How will you balance the needs of those in new inner city dwellings and the needs of those in social housing within your region?
- Example: Will this (eg your proposal) take away a right that previous generations have experienced?
What to do with a question
You may ask a question at candidates’ meetings, when candidates hold special events or whenever you bump into them in the community. Share the questions with colleagues and friends and encourage them to ask questions too.
This is the time to be curious not confrontational. The aim to to hear the views of candidates to help inform your decision making. It is also the opportunity to bring the consideration of future generations onto the radar of politicians and to begin a conversation with them. Will you help to take collective action?
Want to know more about Intergenerational Ambition and Future Generations. Check out my previous blogpost.
You can download copies of the postcard in a number of formats here.
Feature Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay