Some General Thoughts that Might be Helpful<\/h3>\n\n\n\nEffective messaging means using the words best for you to achieve your goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A great message doesn\u2019t say what is popular\u2014it makes popular what needs to be said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We must talk more about what we are for and not what we are against and we should emphasise positive outcomes and values. Be solution focused to inspire confidence. Share a vision for a better future. People want to be part of a better future—it motivates and inspires them. Talk about how life will be better rather than expound policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are talking about a problem, individualise, ie people rather than institutions. Connect with people\u2019s emotions. People may not remember what you said but they will remember how you made them feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid assumptions based on political affiliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are a successful country, but that success is not shared, and it\u2019s hurting us all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand is a successful and diverse society. We celebrate our extraordinary environment. And we have a commitment to fairness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can all help to create an economy that generates significant rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But our politicians have constructed the economy in a way that delivers most of those rewards to people who already have plenty and leaves too many New Zealanders in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ordinary people are more productive than ever but are not sharing in the wealth they\u2019ve helped create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the last 30 years incomes for the richest New Zealanders have more than doubled. Incomes for the poorest have barely increased at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem is inequality <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inequality destroys fairness<\/strong>. Some people receive fair less than they deserve and other people far more – some have too much and others are left in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inequality robs our children of opportunities<\/strong> like an equal chance for a good education. If their parents can\u2019t afford to buy them a computer or schoolbooks, what chance do they have of learning properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inequality breeds distrust<\/strong> because people become separated from one another e.g. living in different neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inequality is not inevitable<\/strong>. It is the result of decisions by politicians who decide how taxes are raised and spent and those who decide how much people get paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inequality inescapably means people will be left in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some have more than plenty, others don\u2019t have enough for life\u2019s necessities \u2013 a dry house, decent food, access to education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just a note about \u2018poverty\u2019 as \u2018inequality\u2019 and \u2018poverty\u2019 are often confused. Poverty is a state of just the poor whereas inequality is a state of us all. Poverty is also a serious problem for New Zealand. Some people find poverty an abstract idea, or think it happens only in the Third World. We need to acknowledge that there is both absolute and relative poverty. Absolute poverty is where the people concerned don\u2019t have enough to live on. Relative poverty is where, for example, families can\u2019t give their kids enough to access normal opportunities for their community like extra help where needed, extra curricular activities, field trips etc, whereas they see many in society who have easy access to all these things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand has both absolute poverty \u2013 the one child in seven whose parents just can\u2019t afford basics like raincoats or keeping the power on \u2013 and a bigger group in relative poverty\/need, who can\u2019t give their kids the opportunities and help they need, like computers for school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So poverty is part of inequality. Inequality contains poverty and so is the wider encompassing problem and so tackling inequality includes tackling poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018In need\u2019 may be better than \u2018poverty\u2019. Talking about people being \u2018in need\u2019 or not being able to afford basic needs may help make the problem more concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children in New Zealand are missing out :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 in 7 New Zealand children live in families that can\u2019t afford anywhere to live, any breakfast or warm clothes. This is severe need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another 1 in 7 children miss out on opportunities because their families can\u2019t afford for them to go on school trips, have computers, have friends around for dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And this is because so much of the country\u2019s income is going to the highest earners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n