He tauwhirowhiro? An interregnum? Maybe.

11/09/2023

As a political scientist and policy consultant observing Aotearoa New Zealand’s evolving landscape, I want to expand on this crucial concept of the interregnum we are in.

Gramsci’s observation about the space between what’s dying and what’s struggling to be born perfectly captures our current national moment. This isn’t just about political transition but fundamentally reshaping who we are as a nation.

Think of where we stand: we’re moving beyond the simplistic “New Zealand” narrative shaped by colonial perspectives, but haven’t fully embraced what “Aotearoa” means in practice.

It’s messy, uncomfortable, and necessary. Like teenagers growing into adults, we’re in that awkward phase where old clothes don’t fit, but we haven’t quite grown into our new ones.

Our institutions tell this story.

Take local government, for instance. Many councils are grappling with meaningfully incorporating Te Tiriti principles while managing infrastructure, housing, and climate change.

The old “one size fits all” approach is crumbling, but we’re still figuring out what works for a multicultural Pacific nation in the 21st century.

The demographic shifts ahead will profoundly reshape our society. By 2040, Statistics NZ projections show Māori, Asian, and Pacific populations will form a significantly larger proportion of our workforce, our communities, and our leadership.

This isn’t just about numbers – it’s about different worldviews, different approaches to problem-solving, and different ways of understanding what success looks like.

Our interregnum is particularly visible in our institutions’ struggle to adapt.

The Resource Management Act reforms, the health system restructuring, and debates about co-governance reflect the tension between old frameworks and emerging needs.

Some of these institutions were built for a different era, population, and set of challenges.

But here’s what makes this moment both challenging and exciting: we – all of us – can deliberately shape what comes next.

We’re not just passive observers of change – we’re active participants in determining how our society will function in an increasingly diverse and complex future.

This isn’t about replacing one rigid system with another. It’s about building something more flexible, inclusive, and responsive to our actual needs as a Pacific nation.

The solutions won’t come from importing overseas models or clinging to past approaches.

They’ll emerge from the unique perspectives and experiences of modern Aotearoa.

The key is acknowledging that this uncomfortable space—this interregnum—isn’t a problem to be rushed through. It’s a necessary phase of growth during which we can thoughtfully consider what kind of society we want to build.

Gramsci’s morbid symptoms aren’t signs of failure; they’re growing pains of a society in transformation.