- Kim Keromen
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Kim Keromen - 04.06.2026
Two people can live in the same city, walk the same streets, and shop at the same supermarket, yet experience completely different realities. One person may be planning their next holiday overseas, while another is wondering how they will afford next week’s rent. This is the reality in Aotearoa New Zealand. Although New Zealand is often recognised for its quality of life and strong sense of community, inequality remains one of the country’s most significant challenges. The gap between those who have access to opportunities and those who do not continues to affect people’s education, housing, health, and future prospects. As future leaders, we cannot afford to ignore it.
The Problem and Why It Matters
Inequality is more than just a difference in income. It is about unequal access to opportunities and resources that help people succeed. Across Aotearoa, many families continue to healthcare, and educational opportunities. According to a recent report from Stats NZ (2025), housing affordability remains a significant issue for many New Zealanders households. The report found that average housing costs increased by 31% between 2020 and 2024, while household incomes increased by only 24%, creating greater financial pressure for many families. Māori and Pasifika households are also disproportionately affected by housing costs and overcrowding. What concerns me most is that inequality can create a cycle that is difficult to break. A child who grows up without stable housing or access to quality education may face disadvantages that continue into adulthood. Research shared by RNZ (2023) highlighted that food insecurity among Pasifika families can negatively affect children’s educational outcomes, showing how economic challenges can influence future opportunities from an early age.
This issue should matter to all of us. Because inequality does not only defect individuals. It affects communities, workplaces, and society as a whole. A recent social cohesion report discussed by the Guardian described New Zealand as becoming increasingly fractured due to cost-of-living pressures, social isolation, and declining trust in institutions (Roy, 2026).
As someone who has lived in Aotearoa New Zealand for several years after growing up in French Polynesia, I have seen how differently people experience life in the same country. While some individuals have access to extensive support networks and opportunities, others face barriers that are often invisible to those who do not experience them firsthand. Recognizing these differences is the first step toward creating meaningful change.
How Current Leadership has Contributed
It would be unfair to suggest that leaders have ignored inequality altogether. Governments, businesses, and community organisations have introduced programmes aimed at improving housing, education, and social support. However, despite these efforts, inequality remains a persistent issue. One reason is that leadership often focuses on short-term outcomes rather than long-term solutions. Political cycles encourage leaders to prioritise results that can be achieved within a few years, while inequality requires sustained commitment across generations; as a result, policies are sometimes introduced, modified, or removed before they have the opportunity to create lasting impact.
Housing is one example. Although affordability has improved slightly compared to the peak of the housing crisis, many New Zealanders still require six-figure incomes to comfortably purchase homes in major cities. Housing experts interviewed by the New Zealand Herald (2025) argue that structural affordability issues remain despite recent improvements (Walters, 2025).
Another challenge is that decisions are often made from positions of privilege. Leaders may genuinely want to help, but if they are disconnected from the lived experience of those affected by inequality, their solutions may fail to address the root causes of the problem.
In many cases, leadership has concentrated on managing the symptoms of inequality rather than preventing them. While support programmes are important, responsible leadership should also focus on creating systems that provide equal opportunities from the beginning.
Why Leadership Change Is Difficult
Leadership change is difficult because inequality is a complex problem with no single cause or solution. Housing, education, healthcare, employment, and economic conditions are all interconnected. Improving one area without addressing the others freely produces limited results. Another reason leadership change is challenging is that meaningful change requires leaders to think beyond their own interests and priorities. Responsible Leadership asks people to consider the wellbeing of multiple stakeholders, including communities, future generations, and those who may not have a strong voice in decision-making processes.
This is where leadership theories such as stakeholder theory and responsible leadership become relevant. These approaches encourage leaders to look beyond profits, popularity, or short-term success. Instead, they emphasize creating value for society and considering how decisions affect a wide range of people.
However, this type of leadership requires courage. It often involves making difficult decisions, challenging existing systems, and investing in long-term outcomes that may not produce immediate results. The housing crisis demonstrates this challenge clearly. Stats NZ (2025) continues to identify affordability as one of the country’s major social issues, while experts argue that solving it requires years of consistent planning, investment, and collaboration. Not every leader is willing to take that risk, which is why progress can sometimes feel slow.
The Kind of Leader I want to Be
When I think about my future career in event management, hospitality, and tourism, I believe leadership is about creating opportunities for others, not just achieving personal success. My experiences studying and working in New Zealand have taught me that opportunities can change a person’s life. Throughout my journey, I have benefited from educational opportunités, professional experiences, and supportive people who have helped me grow. These experiences have shown me the value of investing in others and creating pathways for success.
As a responsible leader, I would focus on inclusion, mentorship, and accessibility. Whether managing a hotel, organising events, I would aim to create environments where people from diverse backgrounds feel valued and supported. I also believe that responsible leaders demonstrating the vlalues they promoted. By showing empathy, respect, and accountability in my own actions, I hope to encourage others to do the same.
What Manaakitanga Can Teach Us About Leadership
One of the most valuable leadership perspectives in Aotearoa comes from Māori culture through the principle of Manaakitanga. According to Mead (2016), Manaakitanga is often described as caring for others, showing respect, demonstrating generosity, and uplifting the wellbeing of people and communities. While these values may sound simple, they offer a powerful alternative to leadership approaches that focus primarily on performance or individual achievement. From a Manaakitanga perspective, leadership is not simple about reaching goals. It is about how people are treated throughout the process. It recognises that success should be measured not only by outcomes but also by the wellbeing of those affected by decisions.
Applied to inequality, Manaakitanga encourages leaders to ask important questions. Who is being left behind ? Whose voices are not being heard? How can we create opportunities for everyone rather than only a privileged few ? I believe Aotearoa has much to gain from embracing these principles more widely. When leaders genuinely care about people and prioritise collective wellbeing, they create stronger communities and more sustainable outcomes. Manaakitanga reminds us that leadership is ultimately about service, responsibility, and human connection.
A Call to Action
Inequality is often discussed as though lit is someone else’s responsibility to solve. We look to governments, businesses, or community organisations and wait for change to happen. Yet leadership does not begin with titles or positions of authority. Leadership begins with everyday actions. I encourage to pry attention to the inequalities that exist around you. Listen to experiences that differ from your own. Support initiatives that create opportunities for others. Challenge exclusion when you see it, whether in your workplace, university, or community. Most importantly, think about the kind of leader you want to become.
A more equitable Aotearoa will not be created by a single policy or a single leader. It will be built by individuals who choose to lead with responsibility, empathy, and care for others. If we embrace the values of Manaakitanga and recognised our shared responsibility to support one another, we can help create a future where opportunity is not determined by circumstance but made accessible to all.
The question is not whether inequality exists. The question is whether we, you and me, are willing to lead the change.
