Vision for New Zealand:
- To be a place where the environment and nature support life without harsh pesticides and chemicals.
– to be a country where there is balance between the rich and poor, and no one goes without the basic necessities of life
– to be a country where crime and violence are progressively diminished as people move to understand the consequences of their actions and take full responsibility for themselves
– to be a country where unconditional love is the foundation for all we do and we are not afraid to express that.
Lisa interviewed by Kerri Woodham on Newstalk ZB1/8/2010
NZ can become a model for the world. As we see the sunrise first, we can be the first country to embrace a new model of government.
We will form fiscally responsible and ecologically sound policies that create a high and sustainable standard of living for all people in NZ
There needs to be some constitutional changes to government in order for this to work. All successful businesses have a vision or mission statement, yet our country has not. In order to have a collective vision for our country we need to hold that vision and create that reality.
Unlike our current system, politicians will be required to work together for an overall vision, held and supported by an advisory upper house to serve as ombudsmen / women for the country. (Respected political figures such as Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Jim Bolger would be appointed to hold this position.) This would ensure that one vision for the country would move us forward. At the moment our vision changes every three years and politicians spend much of their time arguing and insulting each other instead of getting on with governing. The vision would be formed by consulting New Zealanders on what they want for the country based on the 7 Principles of the Awareness Party. (As in Malaysia, where they are manifesting their 20 20 vision, a catch phrase to remind people of our vision would be designed to be available for use publicly as a reminder of the vision.)
Elections would be held every 5 years – three years is too short a time as much of those three years is spent learning the job or electioneering.
Binding Citizens Initiated Referenda would be used to gain the opinion of the public on controversial topics. People power will be encouraged and listened to. Many disenfranchised voters will regain empowerment this way. (Checks on impartial writing of the referendum, and of financial or media interference will need to be built into the process.)
Our vision for New Zealand and the world is to have a balanced and fair society where all people are fed, housed, clothed, have the resources to better themselves, and have meaningful employment. We support the idea that the state has a responsibility for the welfare of citizens, but would like to see the government create work for those without jobs, so there would be no idle people residing on the dole and losing self esteem. Adequate support for those workers will need to be put in place to repair social and emotional damage for some people. Solo parents are not regarded in this category, although part time work incentives would be created for those with older children. Motherhood / parenthood is considered valuable work and financial assistance would be available for those at home with children.
Education would be at the centre of the changes that will take place, and the education budget would be increased considerably. Early intervention, when children first show signs of social, as well as academic, difficulty, will ensure that no one is failed by the system. On-going support will be in place throughout schooling and into the workplace. This will ultimately be a great deal less expensive and more successful than filling our prisons. Healthy school lunches will be provided at a low cost to parents to ensure all children receive adequate nutrition.
The tax system needs to be reviewed. Taxing food is not appropriate. The state will give tax breaks to companies that are ethically and environmentally sound and contribute to the overall intent of creating a sustainable economy. (Our financial policy still has to be developed, however.)
The aim is to have a country of citizens and not consumers.
Instead of ‘social engineering’ by consumerism, ethical messages will be encouraged to be included in advertising, and counter productive television and media messages will be discouraged.
The health system will change from its ‘ambulance at the bottom of the cliff’ approach to one of prevention of dis-ease. Complementary health care (CAM) will be encouraged and included and subsidised for registered practitioners to work alongside the mainstream system. Workplaces will be encouraged by tax incentives, to provide exercise times and instruction on healthy lifestyles.
Organic farming and permaculture is sustainable and will be supported by the government. Genetic engineering and the use of toxic pesticides will stop. Scientists will be encouraged to find innovative ways to farm in harmony with nature. The use of toxic chemicals such as Roundup, 1080, Brodifacoum, and petrochemical fertilisers in large areas will immediately be banned, and investigations of how to work with nature, and not against it, will be funded by government initiatives.
Fluoridation of our water supplies will stop as it is harmful to all life. (Refer here….)
We are a party of peace and believe that war does not solve any of humanities problems. We therefore see the army, navy and air force primarily in a civil defence role. We do not support our armed services joining in other countries wars such as Afghanistan. We support non violent communication initiatives and would like to see New Zealand in a similar role to Norway in assisting with conflict resolution in the world. (For example, read about Norway’s assistance in the Sudan here….)
New Zealand is a multicultural society and so we need to ensure that all ethnic groups have a voice. We also acknowledge Maori (tangata whenua) as having been our hosts, as they were in this country before European settlement. We respect the wisdom of all indigenous people and recognise that the wisdom of the past has to combine with the scientific and technological developments of the modern world.
Gandhi’s 7 Dangers to Human Virtue
Wealth without Work
Pleasure without Conscience.
Knowledge without Character
Business without Ethics.
Science without Humanity.
Religion without Sacrifice.
Politics without Principle.
