Development of Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion strategic framework

Royal Commission of Inquiry

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 made recommendations to improve social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand. As part of the work to carry out those social cohesion recommendations, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) spoke to a wide range of people and communities about developing a strategic framework to improve and measure social cohesion across Aotearoa New Zealand. These conversations or engagements happened between July 2021 and March 2022.

Talking to communities about social cohesion

Developing the Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion strategic framework involved speaking to diverse communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. We heard about experiences of discrimination or being treated differently based on, gender, faith, sexuality, geographic location and other differences. Communities we spoke to wanted differences in identity and culture to be valued, respected and celebrated.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and social cohesion

Communities we spoke to talked about the strong link between Te Tiriti o Waitangi and social cohesion. It was recognised that Te Tiriti o Waitangi can teach us valuable lessons about strengthening social cohesion among all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Tiriti is foundational to the Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion strategic framework.

A definition and vision for social cohesion

The Royal Commission of Inquiry provided a definition of social cohesion which was discussed with communities. Following their feedback, social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand was defined where: All people, whānau and communities connect and feel a sense of belonging, are able to participate, are recognised and respected, are equitably included and have trust in others and in government organisations.

This definition informs the vision of social cohesion we want to work towards in Aotearoa New Zealand where “people, families, whānau and communities are thriving together”. This vision is at the centre of the Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion strategic framework.

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion action areas

Six areas we can work on to achieve Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion, based on current research of social cohesion, were also discussed with communities. The six areas are:

1. Tackling discrimination or people being treated differently because of race, age, gender, disability, sexuality or other differences
2. Encouraging and creating positive opportunities for diverse groups to grow and connect
3. Supporting participation in important activities like voting, employment or education, etc
4. Supporting wellbeing and addressing barriers to wellbeing
5. Fostering inclusiveness and shared values
6. Protecting our society and the environment for future generations.

The discussion with communities about these six action areas covered significant issues of equity, power, harm, trust, diversity and identity. Communities said each of the six areas were equally important to strengthen social cohesion. These action areas also reinforce, complement and expand the work government agencies are already doing to support Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion outcomes

Progress towards strengthening Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion in the six action areas can be measured by five outcomes. These five outcomes are that people, whānau and communities:  

1. are connected and feel like they belong
2. are willing and able to participate
3. are included and experience equity
4. are recognised for who they are and respect others
5. trust each other and public organisations.

We’ll also make progress towards our Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion vision by working to make the places where people live, work, play and learn more safe, inclusive and supportive. This includes work to make the systems and services in our society more fair and able to respond to different needs and issues.

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion guiding principles

Based on discussions with communities, there are four guiding principles or “enablers” for work in each of the six action areas. They are:

1. Brave leadership and willingness to try new things
2. Being led by the aspirations and needs of communities
3. Flexibility and aknowledging people’s differences
4. Inclusive data and research that better reflects real needs

Establishing a current baseline for Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion

As part of developing the Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion strategic framework, a report was commissioned to establish a baseline of what social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand currently looks like. This baseline report provides a starting point for measuring Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion over time.

There is no single way to measure social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand, so we have to use multiple sources of information and data to get an understanding of social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes current data sources and surveys collected between 2016 and 2021. Sometimes the information currently available cannot be used to understand social cohesion for smaller groups in society.

The baseline report showed that many people living in Aotearoa New Zealand have high-levels of belonging, trust, participation and wellbeing. But it also reveals that some people experience significant issues of disrimination. For example, women and rainbow communities (LGBTQIA+) experienced higher discrimination overall, but there were differences in discrimination experienced by people in these groups based on their ethnicity or disability, etc.  

The baseline report also showed that senior leadership roles in government and public services could be more ethnically diverse, and that COVID-19 has been a significant factor in Aotearoa New Zealand’s social cohesion.

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion community fund

Alongside this Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion strategic framework, a $2 million social cohesion community fund is available for community-based social cohesion initiatives.

This funding will enable communities to create or progress initiatives that strengthen social cohesion. That might include, for example, workshops, activities or resources that promote understanding or respectful relationships between different groups, etc. 

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion visual design process

‘Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion’ comes from the whakatauāki, “Whatua te korowai i ngā tini whetū”, meaning: “to weave the korowai (cloak) from the myriad stars”

The name ‘Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion’ reflects the vision of social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand described in the social cohesion strategic framework, where we can support each other to thrive and shine bright like whetū or stars together. This vision was developed in collaboration with diverse communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

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