Network New Zealand is a tool to link existing networks across sectors and provide an easy and effective way for these networks to be aware of each other and dialogue on vital subjects of common interest. It recognises that there are a lot of great networks already in New Zealand and its role is to add value to what already exists. It is vision driven and values / principles based to enable and stimulate New Zealanders to come together and create the best possible future for all New Zealanders. It encourages taking personal and collective responsibility for our future.
 
 

PURPOSE of NNZ is to:

1. Stimulate the collective will of New Zealanders to take responsibility for their own future – individually and collectively.
2. Increase public awareness of
• Existing initiatives and organisations creating change,
• Positive news and
• Issues requiring public involvement.
3. Strengthen networks at all levels and promote vital dialogue across sectors and throughout society that empowers us and enables action to follow vision.
4. Promote values and principles, which lead to sustainable communities and a sustainable nation - socially, economically, and environmentally.

1. Generates dialogue and debate on critical issues, leading to action and results - by providing a link between existing networks and people across society, culture, socio-economic strata, including public, business and community sectors.
2. Provides a compendium of networks, organisations and projects, which are contributing, to a better New Zealand for all New Zealanders. This enables these existing networks, organisations and projects to be resourced and supported, for people to become involved in them, and for them to be models for future developments.
3. Creates a compendium of visions together with projects for implementing these visions – thus enabling collective visions for New Zealand’s future to begin to form.
4. Encourages and enables cross-sector initiatives to be created and implemented.
5. Acquires collective opinions and feedback on strategic and key questions.
6. Communicates latest news and developments in areas relevant to NNZ.

• A state-of-the-art website, search engine which is interactive and interlinked with other national and overseas sources – for credible information, inspiration and networking.

• Links from the website into the communities of interest and geographical communities across New Zealand – with feedback to the Website.

• Newsletters

• Media (newsprint, magazines, radio, TV, etc.)

• Regional and local meetings, forums and conferences.

OUTCOMES

Potential outcomes of NNZ include:

• Enhance and support existing projects underway.

• Reduce wasted / redundant effort – reduce re-inventing the wheel.

• Focus attention where it is most needed.

• Fill the gaps.

• Enable national level initiatives to become a reality.

• Enable the synergy of individual and collective visions to be implemented.

A common vision for many New Zealanders is that Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of great promise and opportunity, a land of New Zeal, God’s Own or God Zone – the land of Everlasting Light. Aotearoa New Zealand has everything going for it – our people, capitalising on our diversity and strength as a society, and achieving our highest aspirations to take our place within the world community.

This generalised vision will be expressed in many diverse ways. These can be in youth, senior citizen, family / parenting, employment, education, health, social, housing, environment, spirituality, men / workmen, media, arts, personal development, community development, etc. projects (you name it).

In addition, National level initiatives can be developed such as New Zealand becoming:

• A world leader in achieving social, economic and environmental excellence.
• The First Global Park, the cleanest, greenest country in the world
• The global centre for peace and reconciliation.
• The organic capital of the world.
• The first country to adapt Zero Waste goals.
• The country in which every child feels loved.
• The country in which youth and senior citizens have a significant voice.
• The country in which everyone that wants has employment.

Values are the compass by which we make our decisions. NNZ values are those espoused by all world religions and caring successful societies. They include for example respect, integrity, love, forgiveness, good will, creativity, collaboration, empowerment, responsibility and unity in diversity.

PRINCIPLES

The principles upon which NNZ is based include:

1. It is up to us to be individually and collectively proactive in creating our future.
2. Opportunities are stressed in a situation rather than the problems.
3. WinWin is a central feature of the decision making process.
4. Society decisions are best made across sectors and through the social-economic spectrum.
5. Decision-making is devolved to include the persons affected by the decision.
6. Societal well being is measured by social-economic-environmental criteria.
7. People have the most control over their future and are supported in their growth best at the level of community.
8. Our strength is in consciously and creatively using our diversity.

• To have 20-25 % of the relevant networks in NZ involved by Jan 2000, and 50% involved by Jan 2001.
• To have a significant number of decision-makers in NZ focused by Jan 2001 on achieving long term social, economic, and environmental excellence.
• To have 3 to 4 national initiatives successfully addressed or on-going by Jan 2001

One of the objectives is to grow Network New Zealand across all sectors of society to encompass a cross section of the country. This is done by networking the existing networks that represent those sectors.

The following sectors and topics of interest will be addressed in full as the Network develops. The list includes the following, but not limited to it.
 

Education Social services Health / Medicine Mental Health Complimentary Health Business Employment / Work Economics Environment Media Legal Religion Spirituality Consumer rights Youth / Children Senior citizens

Families / Parents Women Men Maori Treaty of Waitangi Pacific Island Human rights Arts Housing Religion / Spiritual Community  Rural Organics Local government Regional government National government NGO’s

Science / technology Futures Peace Ethics Justice Change New Paradigms Communication Conflict resolution Sustainability Globalisation Ecology  Genetic Engineering Leadership Sexuality Communications Sports / Recreation Many others

 

ACTIVATING THE NETWORK

The Network is seen as a tool for change, providing a source of useful information, an opportunity to dialogue and link within and across sectors and a means for mobilising the people involved toward common goals. It is an activating agent.

This is done through:

• Resourcing the Website with info on Networks, Projects, Visions, etc.

• Enabling new information to be presented on the Website

• Forwarding "Calls For Action" which emerge from the Network.

• Providing Complementary Media Coverage

• Offering a surveying service on the Website.

• Providing Community Links between the Website and "The People".

A newsletter will be sent out to all members. This will inform members of activities and plans. It will be a point of contact and a link, particularly for those not yet on Internet. It will provide an opportunity for inviting new members into Network New Zealand.
 
 

WHO SHOULD BE ON NETWORK

Network membership is encouraged for:

• Existing networks which want to further their own objectives through cross-sector communication.
• Existing networks that want to work together collaboratively on initiatives which are of common interest.
• People and networks that want to create initiatives that benefit from cross-sectoral communication and collaboration.
• People and networks which that want to test their ideas with a large cross-sector contingency.
• People and networks who want to know what others are thinking / doing.
• People and networks who want to act in a more informed way and act more collaboratively.
• People and networks who want to be informed about the positive activities ongoing.
• People who want to be involved in the positive activities ongoing.
• People who want to know what events they can attend.
• People who need information and resources to further their personal interests.
• People who want to create a synergy for group action.

Network New Zealand is presently led by a small core group of people who subscribe to the Vision, Values and Principles. This core group is composed of Dave Breuer, Louise Belcher, John Williams, Paul Butler, Sylvie Gibbins, Ross Merritt, and Susie Kelt.

A Trust is being formed to provide a structure from which to operate. The Trust is designed to serve the people of New Zealand, their needs and desires. Your feedback and involvement will be a vital part of Network New Zealand’s success.

The Trust and its administration addresses the strategic and administrative functions of the Network – but will not be involved directly in the "Content" of the Network. The "Content" is set by YOU.

The Network will require a most significant participation and ownership by "The People of New Zealand" and the "Existing Networks". Network New Zealand is a TOOL for you to develop and use.
 
 

FINANCIAL BASIS OF NNZ

Network New Zealand is funded from contributions from individuals and organisations that subscribe to the Vision, Values and Principles. It "answers" to no one and is an independent organisation aimed at representing the people of New Zealand.
 
 

HISTORY

In August 1998 prominent leaders from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand launched the programme, "Our Nation’s Promise" at public events in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Taupo, with key leaders from New Zealand alongside visiting world leader of transformational change, Dr. Jean Houston. These events were designed as a time for inspiring creativity and commitment to facilitate change.

Close to 2000 people attended these events with more than 500 participating in workshops, and 900 registering their interest in participating in a network.

Network New Zealand, formed as a result, is inclusive and open for people to participate. It operates within the strategic guidelines of the Vision, Values and Principles.