As trust and old norms break down, democracy must be defended

Democracy, as we know it, is a relatively recent way of running countries. At its core, democracy relies on trust – trust between citizens, politicians, government institutions, and the media.

That trust is strengthened when there are regular, fair elections that people believe in, a strong opposition that holds the government to account while offering constructive alternatives, and a media that people can rely on for fair reporting.

But trust also depends on people believing that democracy works not just for the majority, but for minorities too.

At Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures, we’ve been exploring these challenges – trust, social cohesion, and what it takes to sustain democracy – since we were established five years ago. Our work focuses on the long-term issues shaping New Zealand’s future.

Read the full opinion piece