20 March 2012
Treasury offers students ‘Challenge for their Lifetime’
The Treasury has launched its inaugural Long-Term Fiscal Schools Challenge and staff are this week holding workshops
with secondary schools around the country.
Schools have been invited to propose policy options that address New Zealand’s long-term fiscal challenges, offering
Year 12 and 13 students the chance to put themselves in the shoes of the Treasury in analysing and advising on one of
the major issues facing governments across the world.
“The Treasury is interested in encouraging fresh ideas and a healthy public debate about the long-term fiscal challenges
facing society,” Treasury Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf said.
“This is a challenge for the students’ lifetime - the ageing of our population is expected to have wide-ranging fiscal
implications for government tax and spending programmes in the future, and the students’ generation will be directly
affected.”
Students will work in teams to prepare analytical research papers, and selected teams will in May be invited to deliver
presentations to a panel of judges from the Treasury and Victoria University of Wellington.
The winning team will be announced in June, with prizes sponsored by Victoria University.
“The challenge will also promote the study of economics and related disciplines in schools and provide students with an
insight into what a career in public policy could involve,” Mr Makhlouf said.
Further information is available here:
Participating Schools
Monday 19 March - Otago/Southland
• Central Southland College
• Columba College
• James Hargest College
• Otago Boys’ High School (to host workshop)
• Wakatipu High School
Tuesday 20 March – Nelson
Waimea College
Tuesday 20 March – Canterbury
• Burnside High School (to host workshop)
• Christchurch Boys’ High School
• Christchurch Girls’ High School
• Lincoln High School
Tuesday 20 March – Hastings
Lindisfarne College
Thursday 22 March - Wellington
• Hutt Valley High School
• St Mary's College
• Scots College
• Taita College
Week starting Monday 26 March – Auckland and Hamilton
• Hamilton Boys’ High School
• Auckland Grammar School
• Mount Albert Grammar School
• Onehunga High School
ENDS