Better Futures 21

Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink
Better Futures and The Olympics
Monday 17th May, 2021

Better Futures

Every year for the last 12 years Colmar Brunton have undertaken a survey that monitors the issues New Zealanders “care most deeply about”. You can find it here.

The ‘key’ question in the survey is. “How concerned or not are you about the following issues in NZ”. Respondents are asked to rank their top 10 concerns from greatest to least from a list of 20.
There is no question that the economic fallout of COVID-19 dominates the concerns of New Zealanders as at December last year which was quite different 3 years ago when the top 5 centred around Environmental concerns.

Here are the Top 5 as ranked from greatest concern as at December 2020:-

• The Cost of living
• Protection of NZ children
• Availability of affordable housing
• Sale of NZ land to foreign buyers
• Violence in Society

The next group of 5 did in fact centre around waste and environmental concerns. The survey authors noted:

• More of us are trying to do the right thing on an everyday basis – recycling, reusing, reducing, repairing…
• We can start by understanding different mindsets. The good news is that New Zealanders are more active and engaged in sustainability compared to other markets
• With concern around climate change dropping, brands and businesses have to find alternative and engaging ways to encourage people to take sustainable actions.

POV. Over the years I have found it to be a fascinating report to read for three reasons:-

1. It gives you an accurate insight into the issues that worry New Zealanders and how they have changed over the last 12 years.
2. It is a window into what members of your congregation are concerned about and therefore can give you preaching/teaching ideas without having to do your own survey.
3. It can lead to new ‘outreach’ opportunities as you seek to address one or more of the concerns/worries/cares that folks have in your neighbourhood.

Why not spend an hour or so absorbing this excellent information? I hope it will spark a few sermon ideas.

Olympics and NZR.

POV. I think the Olympics should be cancelled. We are still in the midst of a global pandemic for crying out loud.
The NZR should listen very carefully to the Players Association about their concerns around the Silver Lake purchase offer of 12.5% and consider the Forsyth Barr proposal that would give every day New Zealanders an opportunity to invest in NZR of up to 5%. I say, why sell to an overseas equities company who have shown no interest in NZ rugby to date. If NZR finances are such that they have to raise new capital then let New Zealanders do that. There seems to be plenty of interest.

What do you say?

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.