Kiwi values ignited through ‘burning questions’

Thursday, 16 May 2013, 8:43 am
Press Release: ActionStation

Kiwi values ignited through ‘burning questions’

What is Adam Page, a self professed ‘looper’ and music improviser going to do with the burning questions that come out of the auditorium at the City Gallery this evening? What indeed, are ‘Burning Questions’?

Tonight, 6 everyday Kiwis will mull over the issue of New Zealand’s constitution in a lively night of Burning Questions and entertaining activities, pizza and karma cola at the City Gallery, Wellington

“Some people stare blankly when I say “constitution”, yet this is a precious opportunity to set the tone for this important piece of our civic infrastructure”, says Megan Salole, Executive Director of ActionStation. “We are dedicated to making the constitutional review relevant, interesting and accessible to all walks of life”.

“Constitutions are legally complicated and can be daunting for the average Kiwi” says Megan. “We want to encourage people to approach this with blue-sky thinking; what do we want the core documents and legislation of our nation to enable?”.

People have the opportunity to delve deeper into the questions and topics in the Constitutional Review’s terms of reference through a facilitated online discussion.

“Not everyone has a sense of how the constitution should look. But everyone knows what they aspire their country to become, and what they want to protect. So we are getting people to express this in a ‘Burning Question’ – because our questions show what we value.”

Every question will follow the formula “What sort of constitution...” and people fill in the blanks. Chelsea Robinson is a 21 year old recent graduate of Victoria University “It’s pretty clear to me, I want to know what sort of constitution will protect our biosphere. ”

The evening will showcase 6 kiwis from different walks of life, sharing their Burning Questions and there will be some surprising activities that will capture questions from participants.

ActionStation will also launch a website to harness people’s ‘Burning Questions’ from across the country. On the website people will be able to add their own question and vote on others. The prioritised questions will then be collated and submitted to the Constitution Advisory Panel for consideration in a submission.

Adam Page, (Australian multi-instrumentalist looping artist who frequents international festivals like the Big Day Out, WOMAdelaide and Edinburgh) will be improvising live songs from the questions that the participants share, making the evening fun and memorable.

The event is aimed to appeal to young people, as well as be broadly appealing to people who don’t feel confident about the constitution but want to have their say.

ActionStation is a movement of Kiwis for a fair society, a healthy environment, accountable politics and participation in democracy. It is still in startup phase.

EVENT DETAILS: City Gallery Wellington: Civic Square, 16 May, 6pm
WEBSITE: www.wethepeople.kiwi.nz TWITTER HASHTAG: #wethepeoplenz

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