United Future

Posted at 2008-03-08 20:08:16.389. Permalink.

We have grown pretty fast, for such a small country, in this nick of the woods called South Pacific. Surrounded by oceans and buried under the Long White Cloud. But they came, Maori and Pakeha. My parents generation, my grandparents generation built this land into what we call New Zealand. I am pleased to have been born here, grow up here and contribute to this discussion on Identity, nation identity. My specialised area is Foreign Policy and National Security issues. I see that nation identity to be a national security issue. We must feel we are who we are. We have managed in the last 3 decades to resolve differences and make resitution for the wrongs done by our pioneering ancestors. We have plowed the land and fertilised it to become the world's largest diary industry exporting Billions of dollars every year. It is the cornerstone of New Zealand, as is the beef and wine industry and also newer technological industries, like the number 8 fencing.

Yes we need to protect our identity. How? I suggest we develop a new constitution to declare our victory over defeatism. We are a determined people and we want a place in this internet connected world. I suggest we refine the MMP system. It has done us well but a re-defintion of our political process will secure our identity in the face of our neighbours whether foe or not. We do need to redefine electrol seats. I suggest we go for two seats in every electrol district based on the Maori boundaries, because it is clearer and cleaner. One Maori One Pakeha for each of the seven districts. Future proofed against racism and preference. Why should we have a 100 seat House? Too many pre-schoolers agruing in the House makes poor performance of valued tax money.

Perhaps we should have a Senate and a President still loyal to the Commonwealth.Why? Because we are an important friend to nations the world over and representative of the kind of relationship every nation wants to have. We should have a National Security Advisor office to help bring understanding of motives and intentions and be able to advise Government.We should retain a Prime Minister (First Minister in Scottish Parliament is a model) for the development of our economy and infrastruturals. A President leads and represents in greater political capacity what New Zealand is.

A control on immigration is important I believe because we need to ensure they are housed, employed properly. We have Brain drain already.It is prudent to consider that we cannot afford overpopulation. In history, it has always unstuck a nation.

I believe, we just might be experiencing a slow and cruel death of party politics in New Zealand. What??

Let's vision this in Science Fiction: Party Politics died. New Zealand is now governed by Conscience voting, Confidence and Supply by individual's agreement. We have a New Zealand Council of 12. It is the new Parliament. We have a Senate of Seven, based on the formation of the Maori boundaries for elections as I mentioned. Senior Statesman and women who from experience decide futher policy. We have a First Minister who implements policy development and a President who represents vision to our nation and nationhood to the world. No Governorship.

I believe, that it is time. The right time to really think outside the square. That's what makes us Kiwis'- We have always thought outside the square.

Welcome to the 22nd century.

Posted at 2008-03-10 10:56:31.684. Permalink.

Well done on bringing up population and national identity as a topic for discussion. Clearly the current and past population policies appear to have taken a very short sighted view in terms of how population shapes national identity and ultimately the future of a country. Also, governance structures need to be reviewed to ensure that we have the most appropriate means of self determination as a country going forward.

We tend as a nation to have a view that there should be no discrimination based on race (one rule for all), yet have to be one of the few countries in the world that contradicts this by practicing a form of racial segregation by way of seats based on race etc. Surely under a proportional representation system this is archaic and change needs to be discussed.

Also, New Zealand currently has one of the highest rates of immigration in the world. The current policy seems to be to have immigration rates of about 1.5% of the population. This may be in part a response to the heavy levels of migration by New Zealanders to Australia and the UK, however the fact that the population can change at such a rapid rate needs to be further analysed.

Another point is that population growth puts pressure on existing infrastructure and impacts the quality of life held. We have always been lucky in the sense that a lower population density has made our way of life unique and attractive to people from highly populated areas such as England and India. Do we want to be living in cramped tower blocks in the future? Current growth rates will put our way of living at risk.

High levels of population growth can also create unsustainable economic growth, especially now in more eco aware times. It is clear that population growth mechanisms have been used in the past to prop up the economy (e.g construction/house prices etc).

Countries which have high rates of immigration such as Spain and the UK also arguable have experienced issues such as social cohesion and confusion in terms of nationhood. Is this something we want to have to deal with on an even greater scale than now in New Zealand?

As a final point, going forward in a highly globalised environment, it would be great if we could enshrine those core values which make us unique. This would help to give a sense of belonging in what is increasingly seen as a diverse nation

Posted at 2008-03-25 15:56:24.819. Permalink.

Where can I download the discussion paper? I don't see a link.

Posted at 2008-03-28 23:24:17.995. Permalink.

I think we need to determine what the actual sustainable population of New Zealand is.
If we don't know what the carrying capacity of our country is, we won't know when we have outgrown our own resources.

"No matter what your cause, it is a lost cause without population stabilization."