Face the facts. Shape the future.
Face the facts. Shape the future.
That was the central message of the invite-only ASPIRE conference PILLAR attended this past week. If we are serious about building a freer, more prosperous, and flourishing future for ourselves and our children, we must begin with honesty — about who we are, where we stand, and the challenges we face.
And we must be specific.
In our economy, we are burdened by mounting debt and high taxes - the result of irresponsible governance and complacent citizenship. In energy, we are paying unnecessarily high costs driven by ideological policy choices. Demographically, we are failing to have enough children to replace ourselves, whilst ageing rapidly, and relying on high levels of immigration to compensate for our lack of vitality. In defence, we are weak and vulnerable, only slowly waking up to the reality that there are forces willing to erode our freedom and security.
I’ll just note, that in defence in particular, Dr. John Lee of the Hudson Institute - former Senior Advisor to the Australian Foreign Minister and a close collaborator with U.S. cabinet members - put it bluntly to me: when it comes to Chinese interference and influence, New Zealand has it bad.
These are sobering realities, Friend. But if we want to preserve and build a free and flourishing future in New Zealand, this is where we must start - with the truth. Lying to ourselves will only make things worse.
Thomas Sowell once observed, “life does not ask what we want. It presents us with options”. That is the moment we now face.
After years of luxury, pursuing what we wanted, reality is now presenting us with options. Friend, if we refuse to make the tough choices today, we will be forced into far costlier ones tomorrow.
Will you and I choose policies that expand freedom and promote individual responsibility? Or will we once again reach for the state to solve problems that belong first to individuals, families, and communities? I hope the answer is clear.
As Nathan reflected in his Herald opinion piece this week regarding proposed ‘move-on orders’, “troubling is the belief that really only government can fix the problem (homelessness).” This type thinking lies at the heart of much of our waywardness in the many spheres and institutions of society.
One speaker at ASPIRE put it starkly: “A dying civilisation accumulates laws as a dying man accumulates medicines.” The answer to our challenges is not an endless layering of legislation - it is a renewal of responsibility.
At PILLAR, we envision a culture that values freedom, a system that prioritises liberty, and a people who recognise the innate dignity of one another.
Each of us operates within spheres of influence, in our families, communities, and industries. If we are to build a future worthy of our children, we must begin in those spheres, speaking the truth, living with responsibility, and acting with courage.
Your freedom depends on it.
Together, let’s face the facts truthfully and build the future courageously.
By the way, if you want to hear more on our reflections on the ASPIRE conference, and also hear Nick Hanne’s speech at the International Symposium on Foreign Interference, check out our latest podcast episode!
P.S. Friend, ASPIRE was an invite only event, we are grateful that our work is being recognised in this way when PILLAR is just less than a year old! Your support and engagement has made this possible. From the whole team, thank you!