In a world where the pace of life is constantly accelerating, the pursuit of health, happiness and longevity has never been more critical. But what if the answer to these challenges isn’t found in distant places but right here in Aotearoa New Zealand? At TwentyTwo, we believe that the key to unlocking our nation’s potential lies not just in where we live and work, but in how we approach the decisions that shape our communities and organisations.
Reimagining the future of New Zealand’s communities
Kate Horton, Strategy22 Lead at TwentyTwo, recently shared her insights on the subject at the CoreNet Symposium 2024, sparking a conversation about how we can apply lessons from the world’s healthiest and happiest regions – like those popularised in the Blue Zones – to our own communities. But this isn’t just about mimicking others; it’s about taking these principles and making them uniquely our own.
At TwentyTwo, our work goes beyond traditional property and place-based decisions. We empower New Zealand organisations and communities to achieve more by helping them navigate complex, high-stakes decisions. Many of our clients are faced with challenges that involve significant investments, with far-reaching impacts on their organisation, workforce or community. Our role is to minimise risk while maximising the opportunities that these investments present.
Building health and wellbeing into the heart of our work
As a team, we’re always thinking about the bigger picture. Recently, a conversation about general health and well-being, spurred by a podcast on aging well, led us to the Blue Zones series on Netflix. This sparked an important discussion within our team – how can we apply these principles to our work and the communities we help shape?
New Zealand’s natural beauty is unparalleled, yet many of us live in urban environments where the pressures of daily life pull us away from what truly matters: family, community and well-being. Kate’s vision challenges us to rethink our approach to location and lifestyle choices. What if our workspaces and communities were designed to prioritise health and longevity? What if the natural environment was at the heart of our decision-making processes?
Facing the challenges head-on
We know that the challenges facing New Zealand are real and complex – from rising living costs and deteriorating infrastructure to the pressures on housing and social cohesion. But we also believe that by embracing a holistic approach, one that integrates the principles of well-being into every decision, we can tackle these challenges more effectively.
A vision for Aotearoa’s future
Kate’s vision for Aotearoa is bold and forward-thinking. It calls for a shift from the traditional, centralised model of living and working to a new paradigm where communities are distributed, work is flexible and environments are designed to enhance well-being. This vision is about more than just surviving; it’s about creating conditions where every New Zealander can truly thrive.
At TwentyTwo, we are inspired by this vision. By redefining our conventional location drivers (which typically lead us to locate in metropolitan areas), embracing innovation and building stronger partnerships with local iwi, councils and community groups, we believe that New Zealand has the potential to lead the world in creating communities that support not just longevity, but a vibrant and fulfilling life for all.
The question now is, are we ready to embrace this potential and become a beacon of health, happiness and sustainability for the world? And if yes, how?
Actioning the vision
It begins with asking the right questions: What would it take to encourage businesses to relocate from major cities to smaller communities? What factors would attract both businesses and people? If you were responsible for economic development in your region, how would you draw in investment? By exploring these questions, you can start to reshape the traditional drivers of business and community growth.
To entice businesses and individuals away from urban centres and into smaller communities, you need to establish a new value proposition – one where the promise of a healthier, longer life is just as persuasive as economic incentives. This requires organisations to develop strategic frameworks that prioritise health, happiness and longevity, ensuring that investments align with this vision.
At TwentyTwo, we bring expertise and experience in place-making and investment decisions. Before you embark on your next project, consider these critical questions: What are the key location drivers? How is your workforce distributed? How can you leverage New Zealand’s unique geography to create something beyond the usual? Thinking outside the box could lead to innovative and transformative outcomes.
