Strong Public Support for Future Generations Act Rooted in Kaitiakitanga

A significant majority of New Zealanders are calling for a fundamental shift in how the country is governed, with new polling showing 82 percent support for a law that forces politicians to prioritise the needs of future generations. The Talbot Mills polling, released on 21 August 2026, was commissioned by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa (WEAll Aotearoa) as part of its rangatahi-led 'Tomorrow Together' campaign. Led by 18-year-old Nate Wilbourne, the Future Generations Lead at WEAll Aotearoa, the campaign advocates for a Future Generations Act. This proposed legislation would require governments to look beyond the three-year electoral cycle and legally account for the long-term impacts of policy on housing, infrastructure, and the environment. The initiative draws inspiration from a similar 2015 framework established in Wales, aiming to ensure that immediate political gains do not come at the expense of those yet to be born. The proposal finds deep resonance within te ao Māori, where the concept of thinking across generations is foundational. The campaign highlights that principles such as whakapapa, which connects the past to the future, and kaitiakitanga (stewardship) naturally align with a legislative requirement for long-term responsibility. By centering these values, the initiative addresses concerns about how decisions regarding whenua, wai, and natural resources today will impact mokopuna in the decades to come. Support for the law appears to transcend traditional political divides. According to the data, 90 percent of Green voters, 89 percent of ACT voters, and 87 percent of New Zealand First voters agree with the legal requirement. This cross-party consensus emerges as WEAll Aotearoa reports that 71 percent of respondents feel the current economy is failing young people, particularly regarding housing affordability and climate change resilience.