Key thinking on social issues: solutions-focussed, innovative, high trust and family-centred

“There is nothing wrong with New Zealand that cannot be rectified by using what is right with New Zealand”.

If there was one phrase that summed up the Families Commission’s 50 Key Thinkers forum at Wellington on 11 May 2011, it would be the above sentence.

Yes it was about brave new ideas to long term and deep seated social issues.

Yes it was about not doing the same old thing over and over again but expecting different results – an accusation levelled at much of the current system.

But above all, it was about recognising that the ideas, resources, solutions and innovations to effectively support the wellbeing of families and whānau in New Zealand already exist. “We’re doing everything right, somewhere, just not everywhere.”