Social Cohesion in Aotearoa 2026: Trust, Truth, and the Turning Tide
About the Event
Social Cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand 2026: Trust, Truth, and the Turning Tide
As Aotearoa New Zealand moves through a period of growing social and economic pressure, the question of what holds us together has never felt more urgent.
Presented in partnership with the Helen Clark Foundation, this Connected Leadership event will explore the Foundation's latest Social Cohesion survey and what it reveals about the shifting realities of life in New Zealand.
This conversation will unpack key themes from the report, including:
a softening in social cohesion, driven less by changing values and more by declining trust in institutions
strong and widely shared aspirations for fairness, inclusion, and opportunity, alongside growing frustration that these ideals are not reflected in everyday experience
poverty, financial stress, and inequality as the strongest drivers of differences in social cohesion across Aotearoa New Zealand
a widening gap between the promise of New Zealand as a land of opportunity and the economic realities facing many households
declining trust in government and institutions, particularly among younger and financially stressed New Zealanders
The report also points to a notable shift in awareness among older and more prosperous groups, with growing recognition of the gap between the idea of New Zealand as a land of opportunity and the lived reality for many.
With Rt Hon Helen Clark and economist Shamubeel Eaqub, this event offers an opportunity to reflect on the state of social cohesion in our country in 2026 and what these shifts mean for leaders, communities, and the future we are shaping together.
Please stay after the event for refreshments and networking.
Featured Speakers
Rt Hon Helen Clark
Helen Clark was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999-2008. During her nine years as Prime Minister, New Zealand enjoyed strong economic growth, low unemployment, and significant investment in public services. Her government set clear objectives for sustainable development and climate action. Helen Clark became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program in April 2009 and the Chair of the United Nations Development Group, a committee consisting of the heads of all UN funds, programmes and departments working on development issues. She was the first woman to assume these positions, which she held for a full two terms and eight years before standing down in April 2017.
Shamubeel Eaqub
Shamubeel Eaqub is an experienced economist who makes economics easy. He is a thought leader unafraid to take a contrarian view. He is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker. He is a regular and respected contributor to media, government and business sector discussions on economic and strategic matters. He holds a BCOM with honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Helen Clark Foundation
The Helen Clark Foundation is an independent, non-partisan think tank focused on advancing policy grounded in inclusion, fairness, and sustainability. Its work contributes to evidence-based solutions for New Zealand’s long-term challenges. Supported by its members, the Foundation welcomes new members and invites you to join or sign up for free updates.
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