The Scale Of Change Just Got Bigger
The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated a series of shifts in how its citizens work and play and Wellington’s emerging economic future. As Wellington looks to continue to respond to the economic, health and environmental realities of COVID-19, the future has never been more uncertain or the decisions required to shape it, more urgent.
A Vision Of The Future Could Be
A post COVID-19 City that positions Wellington as a leading GDP contributor to the New Zealand economy the fabric for a prosperous capital city. This vision will reset the narrative, change mindsets, inspire action.
City to Capital
Wellington is in a unique position – capital of the nation which has thus far successfully navigated COVID-19 and has become a place of hope for much of the world – but also a place where the relationship between Government, other cities, Iwi, citizens and the geo-sphere is grounded. How do we capitalise economically and socially on this position?
A responsive and growing social economy of Wellington is critical in facing the current challenges of behavior, loneliness and a lack of ambition that lead to alcohol and drug abuse, violence and a lack of respect for the rights of others and property particularly in our CBD.
SHIFT: City to Capital
Summary
Wellington is in a unique position – capital of a nation which has thus far successfully navigated COVID-19, which is a place of hope for much of the world – but also a place where the relationship between government, other cities, iwi and citizens is grounded – how do we own the capital identity and make it something that is meaningful, marketable and makes people want to work with us?
Drivers:
- Digital Transformation – Digital infrastructure is changing the day to day relationship between governments and their people.
- Ethics and Public Awareness – The challenges faced by democracies over the past decade are causing people to reflect on the health and methods of government.
- Demographic Change – Career paths have become more flexible, weaving in and out of the public service and involving the city much more in the life of the capital.
- Future of Work – The training demands and civic education requirements of people are changing and becoming more continuous in nature.
COVID19
COVID19 has given New Zealand an enviable position on the world stage as a successful liberal democracy.
As the seat of the Government that lead the response to COVID19 and the home of one of the worlds most effective and trusted public services this gives Wellington and our service industries a globally rare selling point.
The challenge for the city emerging from COVID19 is how to make this capital status a platform for growth – and develop meanings, experiences and identities that amplify and give significance to the part of our identity which is being the capital of New Zealand.
Sightings:
Global
- Digital Identity is a key civic infrastructure for the 21st century. The Estonian Government has created a digital identity unique to each citizen which allows people to positively and securely identify themselves and access government and business services digitally.
- Canberra has a National Capital Plan which takes the national significance of the capital and territory and translates that into the fabric of the city. This plan is complimented with arts, economic development and other strategies that recognise this significance.
- Taiwan used an approach to combat COVID19 founded on trust and reinforced with Open Data and transparent technologic deployment. This has created a reputation and brand now being mobilised by the #TaiwanCanHelp campaign.
- The Smart-Start Programme from Internal Affairs has seen a world leading birth registration process which also registers a child for a range of public services from passports to social benefits put in place, creating a more convenient and citizen centred service.
- Rotorua has sought to distinguish itself as a bilingual and cultural city by concentrating on the significance of its Te Arawa heritage and diversify from tourism into tech and other industries through a common, Te Ao Maori strength.
Wellington
- The adoption of RIPPL as Digital Contact Tracing Method by Wellington saw the app being adopted in Dunedin and trialed in the UK with its role in New Zealand’s response helping it to enter the market.
- Beervanna has become a touchstone event for the city, the artisan economy and a national event through the regional breweries and side events which come to Wellington. Local Startup – Mote have joined the wider Beervanna festival to offer co-working spaces in local breweries – helping widen the audience and experience of Wellington.
- The National Library have invested in interactive experiences which help tell the stories of our most significant foundation documents and help the constitutional structures of our country be grounded in the parliamentary precinct in a way which can connect all New Zealanders with our history and the place they stand.
How do we join the dots and blueprint the future?
