The Iwi Chairs Forum is launching a campaign today encouraging people to share their vision for New Zealand post-Covid-19.
Professor Margaret Mutu says Covid-19 provides the opportunity to reimagine the future of the country. Photo: RNZ / Leigh-Marama McLachlan
Ngāti Kahu leader Professor Margaret Mutu is leading the campaign and says the pandemic has given the country an opportunity to re-imagine its future.
"Covid-19 has given us the opportunity to pause and reflect on how we would like to be as a nation. We have a special chance to build a country based on our shared values," she said.
"That's about our constitution and constitutions should come out of communities not governments. Why would iwi leaders be interested in community vision? Iwi leaders have always worked with communities in creating future pathways as demonstrated in the 1835 Declaration of Independence and Te Tiriti o Waitangi 1840.
"We have been fair and we have honoured agreements for the wellbeing of all. This campaign continues that work."
She said the Iwi Chairs Forum invited all individuals, organisations and communities to share their vision through online video or written statements with the hash tag, #aotearoa2020vision
Statements will be reviewed and prominent themes and priorities will be reported via the forum's Facebook page, to the national Iwi Chairs Forum and stakeholders. In addition, a rōpū (a group), led by rangatahi will be formed to identify the shared priorities that will contribute to a community vision for Aotearoa into the future.