Our gift to the world

Lou Sanson, Director General, Department of Conservation

“Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, toitū te tangata”

“If land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive”

Writing this, I am acutely aware of the timing: We are all reeling from the impact of COVID-19 and none more so than the business community as you bear the brunt of lockdown action that is essential, but by any measure, incredibly tough on business. Each of you will be anxious about your family and friends as we seek to ‘break the chain’ of the virus over the coming weeks and months. My thoughts are with you and all New Zealanders as we live through these extraordinary times.

And yet even at this time of extreme uncertainty and worry, I am asking for your leadership to help guide and accelerate our recovery, so important it is.  

Aotearoa has arrived at a critical juncture. At this crossroads, we have some big decisions to make for our people, our lands and our waters.  Do we go forward in the same direction as we have been travelling so far: living beyond our means environmentally? Or do we consider COVID-19 a wake-up call and take a different route? Can we reset our economy, indeed our lives, to co-exist with our natural world? I believe the answer can only be yes, we must make some fundamental changes.

Last week, Dame Anne Salmond wrote: “this is the crisis we need to shape the future of the country”.

I believe the opportunity now exists to integrate our culture, people and the environment like never before - to accelerate our recovery and create a compelling long-term advantage for New Zealand. This ethos carries within it an intrinsic duty-of-care for people and planet; at its heart is the belief we can have a healthy, restored environment and a thriving economy – a true win/win. Ultimately, I believe such an approach will be an example to the world: our gift.

But we will need to think and act quite differently; we will need to set off as we intend to continue.

The partners of The Aotearoa Circle – public and private – can have a disproportionate impact on landing a new and compelling vision for New Zealand with nature at its heart.

This is a pivotal moment in our century. In 10 years’ time people will look back on our decisions in 2020 and judge us: Were we bold enough? Did we have the courage to set New Zealand on a new enduring path to restore its Mauri, for our children to inherit?

Even at this tough time, let’s work together with urgency to help shape a ‘new’ New Zealand that positions our unique nature as the foundation for our success culturally, economically and socially. We have a window of opportunity to take a different fork in the road, to learn from the past and to set a vision for the future that will provide light and hope to all New Zealanders. 

What do I see in 2030? Aotearoa New Zealand has transformed itself and is a global exemplar. The economy is thriving and focused on developing high worth, sustainable products and experiences.

Rural and urban communities rally around a common vision for New Zealand that positions nature as the foundation for our success. The public and private sector are collectively driving environmental sustainability, and each is playing their part to restore the Mauri of this place.   Streams, rivers, wetlands and our marine life are recovering strongly. Native forests are flourishing, and we are experiencing a dawn chorus never heard before by our generation. 

Every New Zealander is engaging with nature, understanding its importance to their mental and physical health, and to our future.

I see a nation that has come of age.