Civic engagement

Abstract

Civic engagement is a fundamental but contested feature of Aotearoa New Zealand's democracy. In its broadest sense, civic engagement is the collective actions of people working together to create the kinds of communities and societies they want to live in (Ekman & Amnå 2012). The past decade has seen what some commentators consider to be an upsurge in civic action. This has taken a range of forms, including demonstrations like the School Strikes 4 Climate, petitions calling for more comprehensive teaching of te reo Maori (the Māori language) and the history of Aotearoa in schools, the occupation at lhumatao, and student volunteers delivering groceries and providing childcare during the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. Countless other groups have also sought to influence the public sphere and create social change, through community service, the development of participatory forums, and efforts to reclaim public space through art, performance and community gardening.