Be a gc, nz.
New Zealand has always prided itself on being a friendly and openminded society.
The world sees New Zealanders as people overflowing with goodwill and highly tolerant of our differences.
But in 2026, our society has shifted.
From our roads to our retail counters, from our Parliament to our pavements, we no longer consistently treat each other with the simple respects that make life among large numbers of people tolerable.
Rudeness, aggression, and even violence have become much more visible - and far too normal.
Our expectations of each other have quietly lowered. And when expectations drop, behaviour follows.
The way we treat each other shapes not just who we are, but who we become.
It’s time to reset the standard.
“United we stand, divided we fall.” - Aesop
we can do better, new zealand.
Respect NZ is a Charitable Trust that exists to reset our national expectations around courtesy and respect, and their place in everyday life.
Showing respect dignifies both the giver and the recipient. Common courtesy costs nothing to use.
You don’t have to like people or agree with their point of view to exercise courtesy. Showing respect isn’t about the “Politics of Kindness.”
And it’s certainly not about pretending conflict doesn’t exist.
It is about how we choose to conduct ourselves when it does.
When everyday respect disappears, the costs to society are real.
In New Zealand, it’s costing us millions.
Frontline workers are especially affected by rudeness, aggression, and violence.
Businesses absorb the burden of absenteeism, sick days, staff turnover, and workers’ worsening mental health.
Their increased costs are passed on to us as consumers - and we pay more as taxpayers, too.
We’re all paying the price.
Showing respect isn’t complicated.
It’s as simple as one governing idea: treat others as you wish to be treated.
It’s a principle we learn as children, because it is foundational - but we seem to forget it in moments of fatigue, stress, or everyday conflict.
As New Zealanders, it’s time we reset our expectations so we can reset our behaviour.
Regardless of politics, background, or belief, respect is a common ground we can all stand on together.
IT’S TIME to RAISE the STANDARD.
A new national framework.
Resetting expectations doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a shared vision and hard work.
Respect NZ’s role is to help reset and reestablish a visible, shared standard for everyday behaviour across our institutions, workplaces, and communities.
Small shifts, reinforced consistently, compound nationally.
New Zealand has always set its own standards.
It’s time we raised this one.