Reframing social cohesion and societal resilience in New Zealand

Social cohesion should be understood not simply as a social good, but as a strategic national asset essential to New Zealand’s resilience, prosperity and security, according to a new Koi Tū report.

New Zealand has long been regarded as a cohesive, high-trust society with a healthy democracy. But declining institutional trust, increasing polarisation, demographic change, economic pressures and a rapidly changing information environment are putting that cohesion under growing strain.

In Reframing social cohesion and societal resilience in New Zealand, Koi Tū Deputy Director Hema Sridhar outlines how New Zealand needs to rethink the value it places on social cohesion, and recognise its fundamental role in the country’s ability to navigate future shocks and long-term challenges.

“Social cohesion is not just merely a nice-to-have but the connective tissue required for a functioning liberal democracy. It is a vital strategic asset that needs to be protected.”

The report distinguishes between ‘social cohesion’ (the trust, belonging, shared purpose and willingness to cooperate that bind a society together) and ‘societal resilience’ (the capacity of that society to withstand, adapt to and recover from shocks and long-term stresses).

The two are closely linked. A society with high levels of trust and cohesion is better able to act collectively during crises, navigate difficult trade-offs and maintain confidence in its institutions.

When trust and cohesion weaken, the consequences can extend beyond communities to affect economic performance, national security and the ability of governments and institutions to respond effectively.

The report argues that this makes social cohesion much more than a question of whether individuals and communities get along. It is directly connected to investment confidence, productivity, innovation, public safety and New Zealand’s capacity to respond to threats including misinformation, foreign interference and radicalisation.

“A high-trust society directly creates a high-efficiency economy through investment certainty and improved productivity.”

There are warning signs that this asset is under pressure. Trust in important institutions has declined, while New Zealand faces significant demographic shifts, economic challenges and an increasingly fragmented media and information environment.

Sridhar argues that New Zealand therefore needs a more deliberate approach to protecting and rebuilding social, institutional and digital trust, supported by leadership across communities, business, industry, local and central government, and politics.

“Without it, we risk becoming more divided, less resilient and less able to face the complexity of challenges or to overcome the wicked problems that will inevitably shape our future.”

Read the report: Koi Tū Report – Reframing social cohesion and societal resilience in New Zealand

Read the executive summary: Reframing social cohesion and societal resilience in New Zealand – Executive Summary