15.09.2025
Social cohesion – our ability to trust, cooperate and work together – has long been one of New Zealand’s greatest strengths. But that cohesion is under growing pressure as trust declines in institutions, politics becomes more polarised, and disruptive social and technological change accelerates.
In this commentary, Social cohesion: New Zealand’s precious and fragile asset, Sir Peter Gluckman and Hema Sridhar explore what’s driving the erosion of trust and what New Zealand can do now to protect the social fabric that underpins our democracy, economy, and resilience.
New Zealand remains more cohesive than many countries, but that cohesion is fragile. Social cohesion depends on two dimensions of trust:
- Social trust between people and groups
- Institutional trust in government, media, science, and other civic institutions.
Both must be actively maintained through good leadership, fair processes, and a healthy, trustworthy information environment. Rising inequality, political polarisation, and the disruptive impact of digital platforms and artificial intelligence are making this more challenging.
As the commentary notes, “social cohesion is not a by-product of prosperity or stability – it is needed to generate both.” Protecting it requires structural reforms, behavioural change, and active engagement across all levels of society.
It sets out the risks we face and the practical steps needed to strengthen cohesion in the years ahead.
