Top 10 issues for New Zealand’s long term success
01 Dec 2010
The purpose of the New Zealand Institute is to improve long term outcomes for New Zealand and New Zealanders. Recently, the New Zealand Institute Council met to review a list of major issues facing the country, and agreed which are the top ten issues that, if resolved, would make the greatest contribution to the country’s long term success.
Highlighting the issues focuses attention on positive long term changes that would improve outcomes for New Zealand as a whole. There is a danger that short term economic, fiscal and election pressures prevent sufficient attention being given to the requirements for long term success.
The list of issues is not in order of importance.
- Can New Zealand implement stable policies that will improve long term outcomes?
- Can New Zealand develop and retain a capable, resilient population that works together?
- Can New Zealand reduce the disadvantages suffered by young people in a way that contributes to New Zealand becoming a successful multicultural society?
- Can New Zealand benefit economically, socially and educationally from ultra-fast broadband?
- Can New Zealand gain competitive advantage and contribute to slowing climate change by shifting to a low carbon economy?
- Can New Zealand manage the natural environment so it remains productive, is an amenity for future generations, and builds our brand?
- Can New Zealand develop the depth of business and public sector skill required to deliver success for our exporters and local businesses?
- Can New Zealand secure the capital required to rejoin the world-leaders in economic prosperity?
- Can New Zealand develop a high performing innovation ecosystem that grows many more high value international businesses?
- Can New Zealand accelerate the growth of export sectors?
Other groups and individuals in New Zealand are concerned about long term outcomes too, and some are preparing work programmes to help guide the country’s development. This list can help inform those efforts.
The issue list helps focus decisions about the New Zealand Institute work programme.
“If the country can be mobilised to resolve the ‘Top 10’ issues then the future for New Zealanders as a whole will be more assured. Efforts on many other important issues facing New Zealand will not stop and nor should they. But to build the foundation for long term success we should focus on the vital few,” says Rick Boven, the New Zealand Institute Director.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Dr Rick Boven, Director, The New Zealand Institute, Ph: 09 309 6230
Email: , Website: http://www.nzinstitute.org
A brief explanation of each of the Top 10 issues is available on the website homepage under News & Updates.