We measure the economy constantly. But how often do we ask who is benefiting — and who is carrying the strain when times get tough? As Election 2026 approaches, we take stock of inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand and ask what the numbers tell us about the country we’re becoming

Photo by RJ Baculo on Unsplash Wicked problems demand better questions and bold conversations Inequality is what policy-makers call a wicked problem . There’s no single cause, no simple fix, and no point at which inequality can be declared “solved”. It’s shaped by decades of choices about housing, tax, wages, welfare — and about whose voices carry the most weight in our economy. As the year draws to a close, it can be tempting to look for neat summaries or pithy soundbites. As political...

New Zealanders care deeply about fairness. We’re a country built on the belief that everyone should have a real chance to build a good life — supported by strong public health, decent education, affordable homes, and a social safety net we can trust. And yet the gap between those ideals and people’s lived reality is widening. Right now, families struggling with rising rents, rising food costs, and rising mortgage stress are also dealing with under-funded services. The health system is...