New Optimism argues human history shows constant improvement, justifying future optimism. Supporters highlight evidence regarding poverty, tech, and rights liberalisation, driven by free markets, globalisation, science, and collaboration.
2
This House would remove statues and other memorials of historical figures whose values or actions are considered controversial or polarising by today’s standards (e.g., Genghis Khan, Captain James Cook, Napoleon Bonaparte).
Semifinals
1
This house supports athletes making political expressions at international sporting events
2
This house would ban unpaid internships in New Zealand
Quarterfinals
1
This house would prefer to be a jack of all trades but master of none, as opposed to a master of one
2
This house, as a medieval ruler, would prefer to be feared rather than loved
Debate-off
1
This house, as the environmental preservation movement, would prioritize advocating for efforts to protect keystone species over endangered species
Info Slide
Keystone species are species whose influence on an ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to their abundance. Examples include gray wolves, sea otters, beavers, African elephants, and reef-building corals. Plenty of keystone species are not endangered species.
2
This house would refuse to read the book
Info Slide
There is a book which contains the story of your life from beginning to end. If you read the book, you cannot change your life to be different from the story.
Round 4
1
This house, as the feminist movement, would vocally criticise tradwife influencers
Info Slide
Tradwife ("traditional wife") influencers post content depicting them willingly embracing gender roles in their relationships i.e. cooking, cleaning and parenting while their husband is the sole financial provider. Examples include Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman.
2
This house would require large public healthcare bodies (hospitals, clinical networks, health departments, regional agencies) to meet a minimum quota of women in decision-making positions
Round 3
1
This house would make Kiwisaver compulsory
Info Slide
Kiwisaver is a voluntary New Zealand government saving scheme. Participants can choose to contribute a percentage of their income, which must be matched by their employer up to 3.5%. People cannot access their Kiwisaver funds unless they are buying a first house or are above age 65, with rare exceptions for significant financial hardship.
2
This house supports the widespread use of citizens assemblies in determining law reform in controversial policy areas in New Zealand (e.g. environment, electoral system, the role of the Treaty)
Info Slide
A citizens' assembly is a deliberative body of 50-200 randomly-selected citizens addressing political issues. Typically, they recommend reforms that are then enacted into law by governments, and receive specialist advice and oversight to ensure independence.
Round 2
1
This house supports the narrative that you must love yourself before seeking out a relationship
2
This house would rather be a twin rather than an only child
Round 1
1
This house believes that rehabilitation (i.e. helping offenders reintegrate back into society) should be the only consideration in criminal sentencing