By BRIAN MURPHY*
There has been a significant drop in perceived economic, social, and environmental Quality of Life in New Zealand since 1960 and more particularly since 1980, and a perception that the country is performing badly on foundational principles.
However, there is support for a possible new, holistic, Quality of Life vision of New Zealand as a "small clever country with one the highest sustainable qualities of life in the world, socially, economically and environmentally", and optimism that this vision is achievable by 2020.
This would require acting sustainably and the enhancement of New Zealanders’ inherent strengths of egalitarianism, innovativeness, can do and fair go attitudes, and respect for others and the environment.
A concerted effort to achieve this Quality of Life vision would honour the unfulfilled aspirations of New Zealanders from the past and provide a future for New Zealand that would really make us "God’s own country".
