A Major Leftwing Think Tank In Aotearoa: Call To Action Or Impossible Dream? Sue Bradford interviewed by Lisa Er.

A Think Tank is a community-based not for profit organisation which undertakes detailed research and policy development in order to influence and enhance public policy formation across a broad range of issues, through publications, media work, lobbying, conferences, workshops and other forms of advocacy and education.

To improve the lot of the many disadvantaged New Zealanders it is imperative that we Kiwis join together and stand up for a significantly more egalitarian society.

If a Left Wing Think Tank can share input and influence in all sorts of areas where people show compassion for those less fortunate than themselves, then it will be well worth the effort getting this initiative off the ground.

Jeff is a gifted New Zealand composer and musician, especially in marrying the pan pipes with electronic synthesizers.

He has been playing since 1984 and has been consistently bringing through new sounds, hitting some profoundly beautiful notes and melodies as well as haunting numbers that touch the very soul of your being.

Over the last 10 years he has started to teach meditation that is very complimentary to the soft clear sounds or nature that he creates.

Can a new ‘conscious’ political party come into being from the grass roots up and take a large majority of New Zealanders with them to reshape our political landscape as well as revitalise our cultural aspirations?

NZ was once the envy of the world, as many New Zealanders owned their own homes as well as had a stake in a large number of co-operatives, mutual insurance societies, trust banks, building societies plus liquor and hotel trusts. Today - all gone.

We were once seen as a fair country where everyone basically would get a good deal. To many overseas countries, we in NZ were seen as more egalitarian, as well as a moral compass for good and we were known as being charitable.

So what are the key ingredients to governance and self governance so that we can all take our place within the context of a participative and an anticipatory democracy where we as a 'conscious' communities come together to cooperatively shape our entire nation.

How would a ‘new manifestos’ look when pulling all the differing threads from left, right and centre, into one coherent, dynamic and synergistically, resourceful whole?