New Zealand’s productivity in a changing world

The Briefing explores why New Zealand faces challenges with productivity, now and looking ahead, and how productivity could be strengthened through more deliberate approaches to economic development and international connectivity and trade.

It draws insights from the experience of other small advanced economies, and New Zealand’s current policy approach with sectors and international trade.

The focus of the Briefing is the question of ‘How can we accelerate the growth of high productivity activities in the New Zealand economy?’

The Briefing is available as a PDF report below.

We developed the Briefing through 2 phases of public consultation

In October and November 2025 MBIE and MFAT invited feedback on a draft of the Briefing. The final version published above was shaped by the insights of those who participated in this consultation. A summary of submissions is available here, as well as a link to the draft Briefing we consulted on.

Prior to the consultation on the draft Briefing, in December to January 2025, MBIE and MFAT invited feedback on the proposed topic of productivity. The summary of feedback and the consultation document are available here:

About Long-term Insights Briefings

Long-term Insights Briefings are a requirement of all government departments under the Public Service Act 2020. They are ‘thinkpieces’, designed to explore medium-term to long-term trends and the risks and opportunities they present to New Zealand. Briefings are prepared independently of Ministers.

Next steps

The Briefing was presented to the House of Representatives in December 2025 for referral to a Select Committee.

MBIE and MFAT will publish additional information here following the completion of the Select Committee process.