5. Breaking the Cycle

In this episode of Piecing Together Unity, Nigel McFall takes a closer look at the challenges New Zealanders face every day—rising living costs, housing shortages, and the loss of community connection. He explores how the current political system often falls short by prioritizing division over collaboration and presents innovative, practical solutions to address these pressing issues.

Discover Unity's vision for housing models that reflect diverse needs, community-driven approaches to food sustainability, and strategies to reduce the cost of living while empowering families and businesses alike. Nigel also shares how fostering stronger community bonds can create a foundation for long-term success.

Join the conversation, follow the journey, and learn how we can break the cycle to build a better future together.

Tune in and be part of the change—because together, we can piece it all together.

Thanks for listening to Piecing Together Unity!

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Want to be part of the change? Visit www.unityparty.org.nz to explore our vision for a better Aotearoa — and follow us on Facebook at Unity Party NZ for updates, discussions, and ways to get involved.

Together, we’ll piece it all together — one idea, one story, and one conversation at a time.

Transcript

Kia ora, hello, and welcome back to Piecing Together Unity.
I’m Nigel McFall, the founder of the Unity Party, and thanks for joining me again.

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that in the last episode, we talked about the spectrum—how different political ideas and perspectives can exist side by side, each offering value in their own way. We explored how connecting those diverse viewpoints creates opportunities for meaningful change, which is at the heart of what the Unity Party stands for.

Today, we’re building on that foundation. Now that you have an understanding of where we’re coming from, it’s time to dive deeper into how we can address the challenges New Zealanders face every day. From housing and food costs to the loss of community connection, we’ll discuss the issues and explore practical solutions that we believe can make a real difference.

If you’re curious to learn more, keep an eye on our Facebook page, The Unity Party. We’ll be sharing videos that break down our ideas further and give you an even clearer picture of what we’re about and the steps we’re taking to create change.

This episode is called Breaking the Cycle. 

What’s Wrong with Our Current Political System?

Our political system isn’t delivering for New Zealanders. Both sides of the spectrum—whether it’s National and ACT or Labour with the Greens and Te Pāti Māori—seem to be focused on their own priorities instead of working together to benefit everyone. This disconnect prevents collaboration and progress.

Each government comes in, spends time undoing the work of their predecessors, and introduces its own priorities—ideas that often don’t make it past the planning stage. Public money is wasted on initiatives that either fail to materialize or don’t address the root problems.

Another issue is that politicians often focus on trying to change things they have little control over, such as global markets or external economic forces, rather than finding creative ways to work around these challenges. This misplaced focus leaves everyday New Zealanders waiting for solutions that never come.

The real issue is a lack of contrast and communication. Contrast is vital because when different perspectives interact, we can challenge assumptions and create solutions that benefit all New Zealanders. Instead of avoiding ideas that differ, we should embrace them as opportunities to refine policies and improve outcomes.

Leadership is another key problem. True leadership isn’t about holding power—it’s about giving power back to the people. It’s about empowering communities with the tools, resources, and opportunities to take control of their own lives. Real leaders don’t dictate solutions; they enable people to build solutions for themselves.

It’s not about division—it’s about bringing together diverse viewpoints to create something stronger and more effective. By fostering collaboration and empowering people, we can move beyond the inefficiencies of our current system and create meaningful, lasting change.

How Does This Affect Everyday New Zealanders?

Housing

Housing is one of the biggest areas where this disconnect is felt. Right now, no one is asking New Zealanders, “What kind of home do you need?” Instead, we’re expected to fit into limited options: buy a house and land if you can afford it, or rent if you can’t. But not everyone’s needs or circumstances are the same.

Imagine a system where housing options reflect the diversity of our communities. Lifetime lease ownership, for example, could offer the stability of owning a home without the financial burden of land costs. We could also create pathways for renters to transition into homeownership through low-interest loans or targeted financial support. Affordable options could be made available through innovative housing models, such as modular homes, which are cost-effective and adaptable to various living needs.

Housing isn’t just about where we live—it’s the foundation for everything else. By offering flexible and practical solutions, we can ensure that everyone has access to a home that suits their circumstances and provides the stability they need to build their future.

Food Sustainability

Food is another area where many of us feel squeezed. Supermarkets dominate how we access groceries, and while they’re convenient, they’re also expensive. Limited competition means they can charge whatever they like, and though breaking up monopolies is worth keeping in mind, it’s not the only way forward.

The real question is: how can New Zealanders sustain themselves while working around traditional supermarket options?

One answer lies in community-driven solutions. Imagine neighborhoods organizing bulk-buying groups to purchase food directly from suppliers at lower prices. Or local food co-ops, where growers and producers sell directly to consumers, cutting out the middleman. 

These initiatives don’t just reduce costs—they empower people to take control of their own food supply while building resilience within their communities.

Wages and the Cost of Living

When it comes to wages, the government often focuses on raising incomes. While higher wages sound great in theory, they put immense pressure on businesses—especially small ones. The reality is that higher wages alone don’t solve the problem if the cost of living continues to rise.

So instead of focusing solely on incomes, why not address the underlying issue: the cost of living? We’ve already talked about housing and food, but energy is another area where meaningful change can happen. Making solar panels accessible to all income levels through government incentives or community solar programs could help families reduce their energy bills while supporting sustainability.

By reducing essential costs—like housing, energy, and food—we can create an environment where both families and businesses have room to thrive.

What About the Loss of Community Connection?

There’s also the loss of community connection to consider. There was a time when we naturally supported one another—a wave to the neighbor, a chat over the fence, or lending a hand when needed. But now, with the rising cost of living, people are so focused on just getting by that there’s little time or energy left to connect.

So how do we fix this? By easing the pressure on New Zealanders. Affordable housing, lower living costs, and access to resources can give people the breathing room to reconnect.

These programs aren’t just about saving money—they’re about rebuilding the bonds that make communities thrive. When we create spaces for people to work together and share knowledge, we’re fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support that strengthens everyone.

What About the Pathways from Problem to Solution?

One of the biggest challenges we face is that many solutions are either too narrow or too vague. It’s like trying to fix a complex issue with a single patch—it just doesn’t hold.

Take housing, for example. Some people need new homes, while others need pathways to purchase the ones they already live in. 

Similarly, with food, it’s not just about regulating supermarkets—it’s about providing alternatives that empower communities to take charge.

At Unity, we’re committed to creating solutions that are practical, adaptable, and built on the unique needs of New Zealanders.

Looking Ahead

Now that you have a general idea of what Unity is about, we’re going to start diving deeper into our policies from this point forward. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, The Unity Party, where we’ll be sharing videos to give you more insight into our vision and the steps we’re taking to create change.

How Can You Get Involved?

New Zealand doesn’t need more politicians—it needs real leadership.

If this resonates with you, join the conversation. Follow us on social media, share your thoughts, and be part of the change.

Together, we can piece it all together—one idea, one story, and one conversation at a time.

Thank you for listening to Piecing Together Unity. Until next time, take care.