New Zealand’s productivity in a changing world

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) are working together on a joint Long-term Insights Briefing.

Our focus question is: How can we accelerate the growth of high productivity activities in the New Zealand economy?

MBIE and MFAT are seeking feedback on a draft of this Long-term Insights Briefing.

This draft explores how New Zealand’s productivity is facing challenges, 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. This draft incorporates material and perspectives gathered from earlier public consultation.

Consultation on the draft Long-term Insights Briefing

We would like to hear from you as we finalise this document. The submission form template, details on how to submit and a PDF version of the consultation document are available in the following page. Deadline for feedback is 17 November 2025.

Have your say: New Zealand's productivity in a changing world

What are 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 to long term trends and the risks and opportunities they present to New Zealand. Briefings are prepared independently of Ministers.

Previous documents

New Zealand's future productivity to 2050 consultation document [PDF, 727 KB]

New Zealand's future productivity to 2050 summary of topic consultation feedback [PDF, 193 KB]