Social Cohesion Framework - Social Cohesion consultation
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What social cohesion looks like
What is a strategic social cohesion framework?
This strategic framework is a roadmap, a high-level plan. It helps us to get on the same page about what social cohesion looks like in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how we can get there.
It sets out how Government can work with others but is also designed so other organisations, communities, and people can use it to understand and improve social cohesion within their own lives and work.
Below you will find a detailed explanation of the different parts of the framework.
- Our vision: All people, whānau and communities thrive, belong and are respected in Aotearoa New Zealand. This vision provides a vivid, ambitious picture of where we all want to get to as a country.
- Outcomes: What we would see if Aotearoa New Zealand were a fully socially cohesive society.
When the Social Cohesion team talked to people, they told us what was most important to them for Aotearoa New Zealand to be socially cohesive. The team heard a broad range of views and have taken a holistic approach to describing what success looks like.
These outcomes are divided into three parts – people, places, and institutions
- People, whānau and communities should feel a sense of belonging, inclusion, participation, recognition and legitimacy.
- Where people spend their time influences how much they feel that they belong, how much they feel they are part of a society they can see themselves in.
The institutions and ways we do things underpins how we do things, including social rules and norms.
Below you will see the draft social cohesion framework. Please take a look and tell us what you think. You can provide your feedback by emailing social_cohesion@msd.govt.nz. The closing date for feedback is Friday 25 March 2022. There is a feedback form at the bottom of this page that has some handy questions for you to think about.
Bringing together Aotearoa New Zealand: a social cohesion strategic framework
This is a diagram showing how our social cohesion framework, works. It contains our vision, principles, how we intend to foster social cohesion and the outcomes we want for
- people, whānau and communities
- the places that we live, work, play and learn
- institutions, systems and all sectors.
You can download a PDF of the diagram, or read a text version below.
Vision
All people, whānau and communities thrive, belong and are respected in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our guiding principles (to be tested):
- Kotahitanga. Working connectively and in partnership.
- Aroha in action. We love and empathise with others as human beings.
- Tiakitanga. Long-term and broad view that safeguards taonga and resources.
- Manaakitanga. We show respect, generosity and care for others.
- Whanaungatanga. We foster the importance of relationships and connections.
Foundation: Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti is our first social cohesion document. It brings this framework together and connects it to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ways to foster social cohesion
- Encouraging and facilitating positive interactions between diverse groups.
- Fostering inclusive social norms that unite us and value diverse contributions.
- Tackling all forms of discrimination at all levels.
- Supporting people to participate at all levels and influence change.
- Protect our society and environment for future generations.
- Improve equitable access to the determinants of wellbeing for all.
Outcomes
We are looking at outcomes in three areas.
- people, whānau and communities
- the places that we live, work, play and learn
- institutions, systems and all sectors.
People, whānau and communities
The outcomes we want for people, whānau and communities are that they:
- feel like they belong
- can respect and embrace diversity
- are connected to their communities and others
- are able to disagree in a respectful and safe way
- have equitable wellbeing outcomes
- have capacity to participate.
The places that we live, work, play and learn
The outcomes we want for the places we live, work, play and learn are that these places are:
- inclusive, accessible, appropriate for all
- are healthy, safe and high quality
- are supportive, welcome and representative.
Institutions, systems and all sectors
The outcomes we want for institutions, systems and all sectors is that they are:
- actively inclusive and accessible
- supportive
- anti-discriminatory
- accountable and transparent
- trusted by all.
Measurement: how we know we are getting there
We need the right data and information to know whether policies and programmes are working as intended to improve social cohesion. The Social Cohesion team is developing a full list of indicators they can track to help us understand how socially cohesive we are as a whole in Aotearoa New Zealand. Some of the indicators are listed below.
Social cohesion is an aspiration that needs to be continually nurtured rather than an end goal that can be reached. We will need to keep working to build and maintain a sense of belonging. The indicators will provide a picture of what is going well, and areas that need more work. With your feedback, we will further consider how we measure success further through discussion with government agencies.
People, whānau and communities
Our vision is that all people and whānau that call Aotearoa New Zealand home and the communities of place, interest and identity that make up our society. This means that:
- Feel like they belong
- Respect and embrace diversity
- Are connected to their communities and others
- Are able to disagree in a respectful and safe way
- Have equitable wellbeing outcomes
- Are supported and have the capacity to participate
Some examples of what we can measure to know we are making progress:
- Proportion of people who feel like they can be their full selves, that they are part of a wider community and that they have a place to call home
- Proportion of people who trust in others
- Proportion of people who have positive feelings towards diverse groups and understand the benefits of diversity
- Perceived personal safety and security
- Proportion of people who report experiencing interpersonal discrimination
- Proportion of people feel heard and listened to
- Access to language education in schools
- Levels of income inequality, material hardship and socio-economic deprivation
- Proportion of people who report their qualifications, experience and knowledge is valued and recognised
The places that we live, work, play and learn
The places that we live, work, play and learn refers to the natural, physical and environments that people exist in and interact with, including digital and online environments.
Our vision is that these environments:
- Are inclusive, accessible and appropriate for all
- Are healthy, safe and high quality
- Are supportive, welcoming and representative
Some examples of what we can measure to know we are making progress:
- Accessibility of public transport, the built environment, and shared spaces
- Levels of access to digital technology
- Proportion of people who report experiencing discrimination in the workplace or schools
- Proportion of children who report bullying
- Housing and transport affordability, cost of living
- Violence and crime statistics
- Proportion of people who feel their neighbourhoods are safe
Institutions, systems and all sectors
Institutions, systems and all sectors refers to the political, economic, and social systems across the public and private sector and all the people working within those structures.
Our vision is that these:
- Are actively inclusive and supportive
- Are accountable, and transparent
- Are anti-discriminatory
- Are trusted by all
- Are supportive
Some examples of what we can measure to know we are making progress:
- Levels of trust in public institutions
- Accessibility of Government funding and contracts
- Accessibility of Government services and products
- Proportion of people who report experiencing discrimination within government agencies and services
These ways of achieving social cohesion describe how the outcomes can be achieved. It helps to organise the key changes in behaviour, policy that need to take place to get to our shared vision.
The foundations
When we have talked to people, there has been a shared understanding that this framework and its vision should be grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a te ao Māori/Māori worldview approach. Te Tiriti is the foundation of this framework as it is Aotearoa New Zealand’s first social cohesion document. It is what connects this framework to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The principles will guide the action that we take, because how we do things matters just as much as what we do. If we act in line with these principles, we will get closer to the vision.
Questions about the framework
The Social Cohesion team wants your thoughts on the framework and encourages you to send feedback. The questions below may help you think about what you would like to say. These are also in the feedback form at the end of this document with space for you to write down what you want to tell the team.
If you would like to provide feedback as a representative or member of the following groups, you may wish to consider these types of questions (governmental agencies/local government/communities/NGOs/private sector/business):
- Do you like how the team has described what social cohesion looks like (the strategic framework)? Why or why not? Is there anything missing?
- Is this framework useful to you or your organisation? Why or why not?
- What would this framework need to include to make it useful to you or your organisation?
- What indicators do you think best measure the outcomes?
If you would like to provide feedback as a member of the general public, you may wish to consider these types of questions:
- Does this framework describe what social cohesion means to you?
- Is there anything missing?
You can provide your feedback by emailing, it is up to you if you would like to use the feedback form. Please send your feedback to social_cohesion@msd.govt.nz. The closing date for feedback is Friday 25 March 2022.
