Addressing the challenges to social cohesion

In this discussion paper, Addressing the challenges to social cohesion, we explore factors that are potentially threatening to our society’s resilience.

Depending on how we react to a broad range of stresses, this increasingly fragile cohesion could be pushed past a tipping point.

The challenges are interacting and complex, and we will need to find solutions that are specific to the cultural, social, and political context of Aotearoa New Zealand. We conclude by suggesting a range of actions by multiple players that focus not only on enhancing social trust but also on protecting institutional trust. The latter raises questions about how our democracy should evolve, and whether new institutions and approaches are needed

Download the discussion paper here

See also:

• Media release: Social cohesion straining at the seams
• Op-Ed by Sir Peter Gluckman in The Post: Election year social cohesion straining at the seams in Aotearoa New Zealand (open access)
• Newstalk ZB: Expert warns increasing polarisation threatens nation’s social cohesion ahead of election

• Stuff: Josie Pagani: Why we trust our institutions less
• Stuff: Janet Wilson: Ditch the rancour, we need grown-up political debate
• BusinessDesk: Trust and cohesion of NZ society in peril, says Sir Peter Gluckman and others ($)
• NBR: Threat to New Zealand’s social cohesion ($)
• 95bfm: Social cohesion in Aotearoa w/ Hema Sridhar : June 20, 2023 (8′ 29″)