ABOUT THE FOCUS

GROUPS
Focus Groups are the main forum for discussion at Aotearoa Youth
Declaration. Each group has a Focus Group topic that they use as the basis for their discussion and for the formulation of their policy statements that will eventually become the final
Youth Declaration.
Each Focus Group is lead by two trained facilitators who are there to encourage discussion
and as experts to help with understanding any issues that the Focus Group Topic presents.
In 2015, Aotearoa Youth Declaration has 14 Focus Groups based off Parliamentary Select
Committees. This guide is an outline of what you may consider in each Focus Group.
Remember, you lead the discussion, so you may choose to talk about all or even none of these.

BUSINESS AND PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

The Business and Primary Industries Focus Group will tackle the
regulations and micro-level challenges facing New Zealand businesses at the Aotearoa Youth Declaration 2015 conference.
New Zealand is driven by small businesses, with a traditional focus
on agriculture and the primary industries. But despite our strong
recovery from the Global Financial Crisis and our label of a rockstar economy, there are still small businesses struggling or even
shutting down, with few replacements. With a focus on low markup primary industries, should we perhaps be moving towards adding refineries and adding value to our exports? Is the small-business-centric economic model whats best for our country?
Following the GFC, regulations have never been more hotly debated, and the differing views can be polarising. Nevertheless, how we
choose to regulate our businesses and financial sector in particular
will hugely affect the performance of our economy, for better or
for worse. What regulations should we place upon our businesses
in order to help them grow, whilst keeping consumers safe?
How we choose to regulate our industries, lever our competitive
advantages in export markets, and synergise the private and public
sectors are key issues for the future of business in New Zealand.

AOTEAROA YOUTH DECLARATION 2015

CULTURE AND HERITAGE

The new Culture and Heritage Focus Group will look at the appreciation of minority cultures, establishment of cultural awareness
and respect, and the integration of immigrants into Aotearoa.
A nations culture and heritage can be hard to pin down, as they
encompass the heart and soul of a society. With globalisation blurring the borders between countries, maintaining a strong national
identity is becoming harder and harder. But culture doesnt stay
still; it constantly evolves and welcomes new additions. Unfortunately our culture and heritage are also sensitive topics, with many
different ideas about what should, and shouldnt be called New
Zealand. How can we work out these differences and allow for
peaceful celebration of our diversity? What can be done to make
minorities feel more included and appreciated? And how can we
continue to integrate new ideas and traditions whilst keeping our
heritage intact?
Aotearoas heritage is rich indeed, and although we make some
effort to remember our roots, most of this is put forward by a small
concentrated sets of our society. So how can we open up New
Zealands heritage to the masses - especially the youth - so it may
pass on with more vigour and respect? What can we make the
people of our country feel like they are part of a great history?

ECONOMY AND TRADE

The Economy and Trade Focus Group will look into the trade and
macro-level challenges in New Zealands economic future.
Humanity has made enormous leaps in recent years, but the fruits
of these efforts often fail to be felt by most of us due to the imperfections of economic management. We have the power to provide
food, water, education and stable housing to all of the world, yet
poverty is still a problem for even highly developed nations like
New Zealand. What tax and benefit schemes would best fight income inequality without turning away businesses from our shores?
How should we set fiscal policy for sustainable growth? Should we
be trying to subdue economic ideology in decision making, and
focus on contextual analysis?
Trade is a vital aspect of any modern economy, and our exporters
face unique challenges with long shipping distances and a high
New Zealand dollar. But with a heavy on reliance on the volatile
dairy prices, should we be diversifying our economic direction?
How can we influence exchange rates to support struggling exporters whilst keeping inflation and the domestic economy stable? And
where should we be looking for our next free trade agreements - if
this is even the best avenue for us?

FOCUS GROUPS

EDUCATION
Education puts in place the foundations from which a society is
built. New Zealands education system has a strong international
standing but is this reflective of the value we deliver to young
New Zealanders? Are there issues with the way we measure a successful education?
There has been extensive debate in recent times around the use
of decile systems, National Standards, and other methods of comparing schools and children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This raises the underlying issue: what can we do to raise
the levels of quality and equity in our education system?
With a mix of public schools, private schools, NCEA, CIE, and
IB, there are many different experiences available in Aotearoas
schooling system - but the choices themselves might not be up to
the children or even their parents, and often only to those who can
afford to choose. Should we be looking to improve the core levels
of NCEA in state schools, or trying to open up for more flexibility
to choose as well? And how can we look after our best teachers
and leverage their ability to improve our education system?

ENVIRONMENT
The Environment Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration 2015
will look into the protecting the future of New Zealands environment in ways that also positively build off our strengths in tourism
and agriculture - a truly mighty challenge!
New Zealand is a country defined by its natural environment. Our
clean, green image is a huge driver in our film, tourism and industries, but is under threat from recent misuses. Our agricultural and
primary industries are essential to our economy, but are causing
damage to environment at the same time. How can we go about
resolving these conflicts? How can we not only put a stop to environmental decline, but even reverse some of the damage caused,
making progress to a greener future? How can we make life and
business in New Zealand more sustainable?
Although broad issue on first glance, these environmental issues
require strategies on a micro-scale to be effective. When environmental harm is broken down into different categories and causes,
all of which require unique solutions, we start to see how river are
polluted from multiple sources - which may include greenhouse
gas emissions - which again come from a wide variety of sources.
How can we create a framework with which to systematically solve
these problems, as efficiently and with the lowest cost as possible?
Should we perhaps sacrifice resources in certain areas to maximise
progress in certain areas as we go?

WHAKAPUTANGA RANGATAHI

ETHICS AND EQUITY

The Ethics and Equity Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration
2015 will face a wide range of issues to make a fairer, freer, and
friendlier society for all.
New Zealand is rapidly becoming one of the worlds most diverse
countries, yet many aspects of our society are discriminative and
unfair towards many people. This social exclusion is holding back
our prospects as a nation whilst also alienating individuals: so how
can we promote a social acceptance of different ethnicities, religions, and sexualities? And how can we grow this acceptance to
achieve equality in the workplace and in education?
Consumers in New Zealand are criminally underrepresented, and
unethical trading practices claim many vulnerable victims. Many
advertisers create issues by reinforcing negative stereotypes, presenting questionable role models for body image and behaviour,
and misleading customers on product qualities. How can we support consumers, and how can we push a more ethical approach
towards business activity and advertising?

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Foreign Affairs Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration
2015 will have the task of representing youth views on many hotly
contested and relevant topics, many of which that extend far beyond the scope of other UN Youth events.
A nations foreign affairs are an ever-changing mix of intergovernmental relations, customs and immigration, and defence initiatives.
For a small island state such as Aotearoa New Zealand, we face
complex foreign affairs, that are both difficult to manage and fascinating. Should we stiffen or loosen our border control and refugee
acceptance? Should we look to take a larger role in the development of the pacific? Where should we be looking to form stronger
relationships and of bilateral, or multilateral nature?
With New Zealands upcoming term on the UN Security Council,
there will be extensive debate as to what role New Zealand starts
to play in international security; Aotearoa Youth Declaration 2015
will provide the perfect opportunity for youth to have their say in
this matter. Should we be committing more troops or resources to
peacekeeping operations? Should we put all of our efforts towards
directly lobbying the parties involved in combat to reach peaceful
solutions? Do we follow the paths set by our traditional allies of the
UK and US, or do we diverge at our free will and risk severing ties?

AOTEAROA YOUTH DECLARATION 2015

GOVERNANCE
The Governance Focus Group will receive an intensive civics education experience at Aotearoa Youth Declaration, as it examines the
political institutions of our country, and how the youth view their
governing.
Although our government is relatively efficient when compared
to our peers, there are still many flaws to be fixed, and alternative
structures to be thought of; where youth need to have their say
too. Is our electoral term of 3 years too short for a government to
make progress? Are the local councils in need of reforms, and is
the super city model really appropriate?
A key part of a democracy is the hearing of all voices and perspectives. But New Zealand has been plagued by voter apathy in recent
elections, both local and national, reducing our ability to govern
for everyones best interests. Whilst micro-level strategies reversed
the fall in voting numbers, there is still much to be done. Should
we legislate to achieve this? Is compulsory voting the right way
forward? Perhaps lowering the voting age, or a move away from
MMP?

HAUORA
The Hauora Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration 2015 will
look into the health and wellbeing of Aotearoa, with an appreciation for the four dimensions of Hauora.
Encompassing a broad picture of health and wellbeing, the development of Hauora in New Zealand will go a great distance towards
building a healthier, happier, stronger, and more supportive society. The group will leave no ground un-trodden, and will face
discussions such as; what should be done for nutrition in schools?
How can we increase access to Maori medicine, and how should
non-mainstream medicine be be treated? What is the ideal position of public and private healthcare we should we strive for.?
There are also many controversial issues which have been circling
in recent years, which despite their difficulty, still need addressing
in a balanced and respectful manner; one which the youth of the
Hauora group may provide. What is best way forward in the fight
against mental illness - especially within the countrys youth? Does
our school curriculum on sexual education go too far, or not far
enough? And what should be done about the legal status of medicinal drugs?

FOCUS GROUPS

INFRASTRUCTURE AND CIVIL DEFENCE

The Infrastructure and Civil Defense Focus Group for Aotearoa
Youth Declaration 2015 will be tasked with assessing the the way
forward for New Zealands vital infrastructure endeavours, as well
as providing the youth consensus on the growth of our civil defence.
Managing infrastructure has never been more important to New
Zealand. With Christchurch rebuild in progress, transport and
housing issues in Auckland, the infrastructure we build now will
shape New Zealand for many years to come. But are we committing enough resources to the Christchurch rebuild? Are the improvements being made to our civil defence initiatives significant
enough? Are the right transport solutions being chosen?
Other pressing problems are the growing energy crisis, and urban
sprawl in our main cities. With our natural resources depleting, and
our environment suffering from greenhouse gas emissions, the
choices we make regarding energy infrastructure may shape the
future of our country dramatically. Similarly, with cities eating up
extensive quantities of land, our natural environment and farming
land is starting to feel the pressure. How can we best decide the
appropriate sources of energy we look to harness? What is the
answer to urban sprawl? How can we create a more sustainable
Aotearoa that avoids the mismanagements of our past?

LAW AND ORDER

The Law and Order Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration
2015 have the opportunity to discuss how youth feel about the
laws that govern us - a voice often neglected.
As society rapidly evolving, and the legal system must keep up;
ensuring the law corresponds to what we view as right. Changes
must be made in time, but also remain well thought out, and not
rushed. As the youth of this country, we may be best positioned
to see where the law doesnt fit the current pathway of society. Is
it time for judicial reform, and the use of rangatahi courts? What
should be the role of prison, and how should they be operated? Is
youth justice too soft, too harsh, or simply misguided?
With New Zealand undergoing rapid technological changes as well,
new areas of law are popping up regularly. How should internet
piracy and online crimes be dealt with? Is the privacy of New Zealanders at stake in pursuit of larger goals? How can we deal with
new and traditional forms of drugs to ensure safety for as many
New Zealanders as possible?

WHAKAPUTANGA RANGATAHI

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

The Science and Innovation Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration 2015 is set to examine the problems facing vital research
and tech sectors of New Zealand, and investigate solutions to bring
Aotearoa to the forefront of modern science.
Despite our proud history of scientists and advanced education,
New Zealand is finding it harder and harder to foster love for the
development of science and technology. Whilst other countries
in the OECD enjoy science and engineering graduation rates of
18-32% annually, we only see 17% here in New Zealand. So how can
we re-ignite the Kiwi love for science? What can we do to support
the choice of a career in such a beneficial, yet undervalued field?
As humanity is moving further towards high-tech solutions and
innovations, we are falling behind with stagnating science and
technology sectors. Much of our talent is heading off-shore, and
we face a difficult set of problems with both a lack of skilled workers and a lack of tech-related employment opportunities. How can
we reverse this Brain Drain, and make New Zealand a haven for the
innovative and curious? How can we achieve this alongside the related goal of attracting more private sector research and tech institutions? How can we decide which areas of science and technology
are the most valuable for us to focus our limited resources on?

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Social Development Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration 2015 will be closely examining the support systems used by
the government to help society in modern life; and also looking for
new additions to improve what is in place.
Recent Global and domestic crises have proven the importance of
strong welfare systems. The continued development of New Zealands social services is crucial to our long term stability, and a happier, more inclusive society. How should we build our state housing
programme, and what should be done about rental standards in
New Zealand? How can we best measure poverty and decide who
needs help most urgently? And how do we take this information to
actually eradicate poverty?
The protection of minorities and children is essential to our nations
social development. Although we have made progress in these
areas in recent years, we are still behind the curve in many ways,
and further development is necessary to build a stronger future
Aotearoa. How can we reform child support systems to avoid child
poverty? What can be done to help young mothers, and use education to prevent such difficult situations from occurring? How can
we change student support systems to ensure that our youth arent
afraid of the debts of a higher education?

AOTEAROA YOUTH DECLARATION 2015

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The Youth Development Focus Group for Aotearoa Youth Declaration 2015 will tackles issues that are right at the heart of the
conferences identity and message; empowering youth and finding
ways to improve the lives of our most impressionable and fastest
growing leaders.
The empowerment of a countrys youth is a major driver for immediate and future prosperity. The opportunities we offer to our
youth, and the support we provide will play a huge role in developing a generation of inspired and inspiring New Zealanders.
How can we open up society to youth contributions, and how can
we make youth more willing to express themselves in such ways?
What can be done to enable youth participation in decision making? How can we make our youth feel important, and give them
confidence to make positive change?
The development of our youth is closely linked to the environments
they are brought up in and the care they receive in their early lives.
How can we provide resources to help all of our countrys youth
through these stages? Should we turn to private childcare solution, or public ones? Is there a way to build up our communities to
better involve our whanau in the upbringing of our young people
in safe and constructive environments?

FOCUS GROUPS

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