For a brighter future
It’s fair to say that 2020 hasn’t panned out quite as most of us expected. As the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of COVID-19, and we in New Zealand begin going about most things as normal, I personally feel a sense of gratitude – to the people of Aotearoa for the sacrifices they made during lockdown; to live in New Zealand; and for what COVID-19 has taught us and continues to teach us.
This includes our relationships, and Wendyl Nissen interviews four households for her story Love
After Lockdown on page 28.
For me one of the most hopeful things to come out of this pandemic was a bedtime video by Tomos Robertson (Tom Foolery) titled The Great Realisation.
A modern-day version of Dr Seuss’s The Lorax, it shows us how the Earth can heal when we halt mass consumption and begin to respect nature. The video has gone viral, which is comforting I think.
And, as we return to normal daily life, there is an awareness of the possibility of a ‘new normal’ that we can begin to work towards with greater awareness of how things can be done differently. Working from home and commuting less for those that can, is a start.
I admit feeling a sense of euphoria hearing reports of pollution levels plummeting during lockdown, and was buoyed by seeing how quickly Mother Nature can recover when humans get out of the way.
And I experienced a huge sense of grief and anger for what we are doing to our precious planet on the first day of Level 2 when I was woken by a loud hum at 5.50am and realised it was traffic on the Auckland motorway.
It’s a tricky new path to navigate as employers are paying rent for our desk space and businesses in the CBD need support, but once you know something you can’t unknow it – and we know now that reducing carbon emissions on our daily commute can have a huge effect.
This knowledge is indeed cause for celebration and Tennille Ziegler’s story on page 32 documents the positive impact on climate change during lockdown.
In this issue we also celebrate New Zealand, bringing together the work of some of New Zealand’s leading photographers and illustrators (pages 36-41); and take a tour – see our Aroha for Aotearoa travel guide (pages 64-69).
It is also Good magazine’s 12th birthday, and as a proudly owned and NZ-made publication we feel grateful and glad to share this issue with you.
Ngā mihi for your support and enjoy!