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Re:Shape

Re:Shape is a civil society organisation whose mission is to engage New Zealanders to reimagine how our nation makes decisions. Our vision is a stronger, fairer democracy that works for everyone — today and tomorrow.

Our work is grounded in the foundations of He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, recognising the shared authority and responsibilities established between rangatira and the Crown, and the opportunity to build a future that honours those commitments.

re:Shape defines democracy as meaning everyone has a voice, everyone feels included and we make decisions together.

Initiated by Ngāti Toa rangatira Helmut Modlik, Re:Shape convenes a diverse working group committed to fostering inclusive dialogue and supporting a growing, distributed movement for democratic reform across the motu.

Unconference: 5 September 2026

As part of our work, re:Shape is holding a one-day unconference to explore how we can reshape our democracy so it is more equitable, adaptive and fit for the challenges of the 21st century.

We believe meaningful change will not come from a single process or institution. It will require many conversations, happening across the motu, hosted by communities, organisations and networks in their own contexts. Re:Shape’s role is to help foster and support this distributed work so that, over time, it grows into a connected movement for democratic renewal.

This unconference is part of that wider, long term kaupapa. By 2040, we hope these conversations will lead to piloting new democratic institutions and processes that better deliver equity, wellbeing, long term thinking, and the ability to adapt as knowledge and needs change.

In 1893, New Zealand led the world by creating a more just society through universal suffrage. Ever since, we haven’t been afraid to challenge ourselves, to pursue what we believe to be right.

We have protested against apartheid, said no to nuclear weapons, and united as a country to Hold COVID at bay.

Now is the time to challenge ourselves again..

Our democratic system’s institutions and machinery of government are inherited from the 19th century, and are not fit for purpose in the 21st century. They don’t reflect, recognise or embrace the realities of life in New Zealand today, let alone being capable of responding to what the future may hold.

Being elected every three years, our politicians need significant short-term benefits to attract and retain voter support. Our system doesn’t reward them for making sound long-term social and physical infrastructure decisions. The largest infrastructure deficit in our nation’s history is just one of many consequences of this.

Other serious problems are also the result of our political system’s failure. Heavily polluted waterways; health system crises; housing supply deficit; intergenerational poverty; high rates of youth offending and entrenched inequity.

We have been focusing solely on specific policies and politicians and not the underlying system for creating and implementing solutions.

The results we consistently get from our governmental system is because it is not designed to give us equity, prosperity or wellbeing. Rather, it is designed to provide checks and balances on the power of those we elect.

Imagine instead a system that depoliticises intergenerational investment decisions and the most serious social problems. A system that draws upon local, regional and community levels for optimal decision-making and policy implementation. A system that regularly taps into our collective wisdom and power to act. A system that encourages collaborative political behaviour, and remains open to further improvement in future.

This won’t change by voting for different politicians.

What is needed is a better operating model for them to work in. Along with the talented people in the public service, Iwi and community helping shape the outcomes.

Do we need a system where we design for an outcome, rather than hope for an outcome?

New Zealand deserves a democracy geared towards the substantive issues confronting our country. A focus on considering the long-term and generational impacts of decisions above all else. And with that, ensuring our machinery of government has the leadership and levers to execute that change.

This will require courageous conversations, now and into the future. We have to be bold, to be open, to listen and respond. We are going to debate this issue, to better shape our own future and draw upon the unique spirit which has seen New Zealand innovate and prosper many times before.