Action not aspiration
The New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (MEA) is critical of the Government’s refusal to put into clear
actions its commitment to lead New Zealand back into the top half of the OECD rankings in the wake of the latest
Economic Development Indicators report.
“The Government is fond of talking about its plans for transforming the economy, yet once again, it is tinkering around
the edges rather than providing a solid policy framework that will deliver solid outcomes. The omission of a possible
timeframe or any solid policy for getting New Zealand into the top half of the OECD rankings provides the Government
with a ‘get out of jail free card’”, says Chief Executive John Walley.
Mr. Walley says that economic transformation and growth will not happen overnight, and headlines constantly tell of
manufacturers, exporters and people leaving New Zealand, show a completely opposite trend. We really do need to stop
bleeding before we get better. Productivity is stagnant because our policy framework makes it so. This needs to be dealt
with, not hidden under a blanket of aspirations. Wishful thinking is simply not up to the task.
“The Government can choose to bring balance into the economy and can choose to support the tradable sector but high
labour participation rates will drive not productivity or close the GDP per capita gap. Productivity will follow
productive investment; productive investment will follow policy changes that make those investments more attractive”.
“New Zealand wage levels will only start to match those in Australia and other OECD countries if we boost growth within
our industrial and exporting sectors”, says Mr. Walley.
MEA – the authentic and independent voice for manufacturers and exporters.
ENDS