A Prescription for New Zealand: Building Healthier Communities Through Connection, Service, and Purpose

Education, January 27, 2025

Vivek Murthy's final letter in his role as US surgeon general is a prescription everyone in NZ should adhere to.

In a time when disconnection and loneliness are growing global concerns, Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. Surgeon General, provided a poignant and universal message in his farewell letter, “My Parting Prescription.” His reflections on the critical role of community, purpose, and love in fostering health and happiness are highly relevant not only to the United States but also to New Zealand. While New Zealand traditionally had a strong sense of community values, it is presently struggling with challenges of isolation, mental health deterioration, and social division that Murthy highlighted. His insights offer valuable lessons for Kiwis to reflect on how we can strengthen our sense of belonging, well-being, and Aroha in Aotearoa.

Murthy’s message emphasised the importance of rekindling a sense of community, which he identified as being eroded in many parts of the world. Drawing on research and his own experiences, Murthy proposed three key pillars for building stronger communities: relationships, service, and purpose. These pillars, he argued, are essential for fostering connection, improving health outcomes, and cultivating a more fulfilled and resilient society. For New Zealanders, a culture that values whānau (family), manaakitanga (hospitality), and collective responsibility, Murthy’s prescription aligns well with the principles that underpin our way of life. However, his insights also challenge us to take intentional steps toward strengthening these values in a modern, fast-paced, and increasingly individualistic world.

1. Building Relationships: Strengthening Whānau and Community Bonds

Murthy highlighted the critical role of human connection in fostering health and happiness. Across his tenure as Surgeon General, he witnessed the devastating impacts of loneliness and isolation, challenges that were magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. While New Zealand has long been celebrated for its sense of community and neighborly spirit, the pandemic, with the resulting policy, and societal changes have also tested these bonds. Many Kiwis have reported feeling more disconnected from others, even within their own whanau, and communities.

Murthy’s call to prioritise relationships offers an opportunity for New Zealanders to reflect on their own connections. He emphasised the importance of setting aside time daily to connect with others authentically, whether through a meaningful conversation, checking in on a friend, or simply spending quality time with loved ones. For Kiwis, this could mean reconnecting with whānau, reaching out to a neighbour, or participating in shared cultural practices such as organised movement or tapping into creativity.

Beyond individual action, Murthy pointed to the importance of investing in social infrastructure, such as libraries, community centers, and public spaces where people can come together. In New Zealand, local councils and iwi have a unique role in fostering spaces that encourage connection. Strengthening these communal hubs can help bridge divides and create opportunities for people to interact across generations, cultures, and backgrounds. Central and local policy should not just be about generating financial growth, we need to curate social connection.

2. Engaging in Service: Acts of Kindness and Collective Responsibility

Service, Murthy argued, is a powerful way to build community and remind ourselves of the value we bring to the world. While formal volunteering is one way to serve, Murthy outlined that service can also take the form of small, everyday acts of kindness. In New Zealand, this aligns well with the idea of manaakitanga—showing care and respect for others.

Murthy encouraged people to perform simple gestures like checking in on a colleague, dropping off a meal for someone in need, or welcoming a new neighbour to the community. These small actions can have a profound impact on both the giver and the recipient, creating ripples of positivity that strengthen communities. Love is an action not a transient feeling.

However, Murthy also noted that building a culture of service requires support from institutions. In New Zealand, schools, workplaces, and local councils can play a vital role in making volunteering and acts of service more accessible and valued. For example, schools could incorporate community service into their curriculum, while workplaces could offer employees opportunities to volunteer together. National programs like the Student Volunteer Army, which mobilized during the Christchurch earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrate the power of collective action and could be expanded to address other community needs across the country.

“Let us never forget that good people with hearts full of love can change the world.”

3. Finding Your Purpose: A Māori Perspective on Living with Intention

The third pillar of Murthy’s prescription is purpose, which he described as the feeling of having an overarching life aim that guides decisions and actions. Purpose not only benefits individuals by improving mental, spiritual, and physical health but also strengthens communities by encouraging people to invest in one another and work toward shared goals.

For many New Zealanders, purpose is deeply intertwined with cultural identity and values. Māori concepts such as kaupapa (principle or purpose) and whanaungatanga (sense of connection through shared experiences) align closely with Murthy’s vision of a life anchored in meaning and contribution. By embracing these cultural frameworks, Kiwis can find inspiration to live with greater intention and focus on improving the lives of others.

Murthy also highlighted the health benefits of having a strong sense of purpose, including reduced risks of depression, anxiety, and chronic illnesses. In New Zealand, where mental health challenges remain a pressing issue, fostering purpose could be a powerful tool for improving well-being. This could involve encouraging individuals to reconnect with their passions, engage in meaningful work, or contribute to causes that resonate with their values. Policy promoting purpose and connection will ultimately save the country tens of million of health dollars.

4. Love: The Foundation of Strong Communities

At the heart of Murthy’s message is the idea that building community requires love—an active and intentional commitment to care for others. In his letter, Murthy reminded us that love must extend beyond close friends and family to include neighbours, colleagues, and even those with whom we disagree. For New Zealand, this sentiment resonates strongly with the values of inclusivity and respect that underpin our multicultural society.

Murthy’s call to “choose community” challenges Kiwis to confront the divides that exist within our own country, whether they are based on ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or political beliefs. By leading with love and compassion, we can work to bridge these gaps and create a more united and supportive society.

A Prescription for Aotearoa

As New Zealand continues to navigate the complexities of modern life, Murthy’s prescription offers a roadmap for building healthier, happier, and more connected communities. By prioritising relationships, engaging in service, and living with purpose, Kiwis can strengthen the bonds that make Aotearoa unique. And by choosing love as the foundation of our communities, we can ensure that these values endure for generations to come.

Murthy’s words are a timely reminder that the health of a nation is not just measured by its economic growth or even physical well-being but by the strength of its connections. Let us heed his call and work together to create a New Zealand where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. It's in the bonds of love we need to meet.

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