The election may be done, but the mahi continues... / A.J. Hendry

Whether you got the result in your local election you wanted or not, it's important we remember that our work does not start nor finish with an election. It continues...

The election may be done, but the mahi hasn't finished...

Whether your city got the result you wanted or not, the mahi continues.

Elections are a tool, they are one way to begin implementing the change we want to see, but the real mahi happens in our communities.

I think we forget that sometimes. There are times when I look at the protests, and petitions, the social media campaigns, and the advocacy, and wonder if amidst all this, we are at risk of forgetting that the power to transform our society resides within the people. That these campaigns - as important and powerful as they are - are but the tip of an iceberg that runs deep.

You see the Government cannot save us.

Local and National government have a role, they can redistribute wealth, enact legislation, create policy, however they are not where the real power lies. The real mahi happens in the community as we organize ourselves to build the sort of community and society we want for our tamariki.

The real work is building communities that care for one another, that see one another, that choose to Love each other, that choose to place people and planet over and above ego and greed. Community building is not easy, but it is vital we do not forget that what we see in our Parliament is a manifestation of what exists within our communities.

The vision and values of those in power, are shaped by us as a collective. We have more power than we realize. As we change, so do they.

If I have learnt anything over the last 5 years, it is that what happens in Government, is really only a manifestation of what we are able to achieve in our communities.

When you see truly transformational reform enacted, when you see politicians listen, and Government's make courageous decisions to enact progressive change, it isn't simply because social media signed a petition and got a photo with an MP. It's the result of work.

Real work. Communities who have spent years, sometimes generations educating and building consensus for change. Advocates and activists who have poured their blood sweat and tears into reshaping our collective imagination, redefining for all of us, what is possible. It is the result of the people, those who aren't content to wait for change to come from up high, but who choose to get on with it. Choosing to embody a vision of the world they long to create, refusing to allow legislation, or government funding or policy, to limit their convictions.

Our work is not won and lost in an election.

Our work continues.

So continue organizing, continue advocating, continue creating innovative solutions, continue showing up for our whānau, continue doing your bit to build your hood into the sort of place you want your whānau to live and thrive.

Government is a tool. It has important levers we can pull. And yes, we will do everything we can to pull them. But, the real work starts here, with our people. We can't lose sight of that.

#BeTheChange #BuildTheChange

#LoveIsTheWay