{"id":8550,"date":"2020-04-23T15:58:43","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T03:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/new-zealand\/?p=8550"},"modified":"2024-07-12T08:53:46","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T20:53:46","slug":"5-big-choices-to-transform-new-zealand-for-the-better-in-the-post-covid-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/5-big-choices-to-transform-new-zealand-for-the-better-in-the-post-covid-world\/","title":{"rendered":"5 big choices to transform New Zealand for good after Covid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As we weather the storm of the Covid-19 Coronavirus, we are getting rare glimpses of a better world.  A New Zealand where the streets are quieter, the air is cleaner, and we have more time with our families. The essentials of life <\/a>are in sharper focus.<\/p>\n\n

This time is hard and it\u2019s not over yet, but New Zealand\u2019s response to the economic aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis could also be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reset. To build back better.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

We could come out of this with a reimagined New Zealand where people and nature are properly valued. A society where the ways we travel, generate electricity and produce food are cleaner and more sustainable.<\/p>\n\n

If we make the right choices.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Jacinda Ardern has shown strong leadership by front footing a response to the coronavirus crisis with measures to keep us all safe and lessen the impact on jobs, health and communities.<\/p>\n\n

The Government\u2019s initial response to the pandemic has rightly been to focus on eliminating the virus and ensuring people\u2019s lives and livelihoods are protected as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n

In coming months they\u2019ll go further. They will announce significant spending on infrastructure projects <\/a>designed to create jobs and income.<\/p>\n\n

This is a huge opportunity if we make the right choices.<\/p>\n\n

We currently face three simultaneous crises in Aotearoa New Zealand:<\/p>\n\n

  1. The Covid-19 pandemic and its associated economic downturn<\/li>
  2. Rising inequality<\/li>
  3. A worsening climate and ecological crisis.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n

    This massive spending in response to the Covid-19 crisis could transform how we live, work and interact with our planet in a way that adds real long-term value.<\/strong> But if we don\u2019t get it right, there is a risk that it can lock us into more pollution, more inequality and an ongoing approach that further degrades the health of our planet and our people.<\/p>\n\n

    We must be vigilant against the wiles of big polluters who will also have their hands out. They will be desperate to return us to the status quo, where they had undue influence and profited from exploiting people and the natural world.<\/p>\n\n

    But we must resist that push to return to \u2018normal\u2019, because it was normal that was the problem.<\/p>\n\n

    Now is our chance to create the world anew in a way that is consistent with the knowledge that we are part of nature, not separate from it, and our wellbeing is intrinsically linked to the health of the natural world. A society in which it is assured that people, not corporations and self-interested elites, are at the heart of our governance; built on an economy which works within the environmental boundaries of the planet. And a community where everyone has enough and the opportunity of well paid work.<\/p>\n\n

    As we rebuild, we must honour Te Tiriti through partnership with M\u0101ori in all decision-making. Our economic response to Covid-19 must have M\u0101ori at the forefront of decision-making, be grounded in Kaupapa M\u0101ori, and uphold indigenous rights.<\/p>\n\n

    We must devote resources and attention to those that need it most, and ensure any response is accessible to everyone. As people face changes in their work, we must have adequate welfare and re-training programmes, and focus on creating decent jobs that are sustainable and fair for all.<\/p>\n\n

    In the initial days of the crisis here at Greenpeace<\/a>, we acted quickly to put forward the Green Covid Response<\/strong><\/a>. With input from hundreds of people like you, we pulled together a package of projects to the Government which together would begin a positive transformation for New Zealand. <\/p>\n\n

    We\u2019ve been blown away by the positive response<\/a>, with thousands of you signing on<\/a>, sharing and amplifying the plan. We realise that it can be a bit of a long read, so we thought we\u2019d boil it down into five clear choices that New Zealand has ahead. If we make the right choice now, we can build back better after the Covid-19 crisis.<\/p>\n\n

    Here are five choices which could transform New Zealand<\/h2>\n\n

    Please share your favourite ideas using the share buttons under the images.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

    1. Protecting nature, not polluters<\/h3>\n\n
    \"Protect<\/figure>\n\n
    \"\"<\/a>\t<\/td>Tweet<\/a>