Welcome to Sophie Handford, joining the WEAll Aotearoa whānau

WEAll Aotearoa is excited to announce Sophie Handford is joining the team as our Future Generations Lead. Sophie is proud to call the Kāpiti Coast home, and acknowledges mana whenua of the ART confederation whose whenua on which she lives.

We sat down with Sophie to ask her a few questions:

Kia ora Sophie! So you’re an activist, have ventured into local government politics and now you’re here too. What brought you to the Wellbeing Economy Alliance?

Growing up in the beautiful seaside village of Paekākāriki, I was deeply shaped by the strong sense of community and collective care, while also witnessing firsthand the impacts of climate change. My curiosity has always driven me to question why things are done the way they are, especially when both people and the planet—future generations included—are being harmed and there’s proven examples of alternative ways of doing things! I’ve never accepted “business as usual” as an answer, and instead, believe we must actively, and collaboratively shape our shared future.

Change is possible and I love kaupapa which proposes tangible ways we could positively shift our systems. Now operating in the Local Government space, I’ve become pretty accustomed with these systems and some of their constraints. Really excited to be a part of building ongoing energy and momentum for a different, long-term way of seeing and doing which respects planetary boundaries and the mana of all people, including those not yet born.

So you’re going to be working on Future Generations mahi? Tell us more about that. 

Correct, and I couldn’t be more energised to be a part of this team doing amazing, impactful work! A big part of this mahi is the campaign for a Wellbeing of Future Generations Act aiming to embed future generations' wellbeing at the core of government and public decision-making, inspired by Wales' 2015 law. 

Who gives you inspiration?

Love this pātai. Deeply inspired by the people who pave the way for us and whose shoulders we stand on. In this light, I take great inspiration from my grandparents and parents, and their extensive backgrounds in service and community mahi, as well as environmental protection and restoration. My grandma was actually on her community’s Parish Council when she was in her 20s!

How do you explain a Wellbeing Economy?

Seeing the economy in service of people and planet, instead of the reverse. In an Aotearoa specific context, this means tino rangatiratanga and the honouring of Te Tiriti. 

Favourite book?

One of the ones I keep coming back to is Untamed by Glennon Doyle. It is the story of how each of us can begin to trust ourselves and our instincts enough to unleash our fullest potential. At the beginning of last year, I sat on the side of Lake Taupō and read just about the whole book in one sitting. Time stopped for a moment and I just got so lost in the stories.

How do you like to relax?

With the sand between my toes, under the sun at the beach! I’m also a real lover of music; just jamming, singing, dancing - anything really. 

Thank you for your time Sophie! We are excited to work with you.