Diverse High-Powered Speakers Consider NZ's Future

Media advisory 3 December 2001

Diverse, high-powered speakers consider NZ's future

Business people, policy makers and academics focus on issues vital to all New Zealanders at Business New Zealand's conference Changing Gear in Wellington this Thursday.

Changing Gear is a conference that will pose searching questions about NZ's economic performance and future prospects.

Leading policy makers Alan Bollard (Treasury), Mary Anne Thompson (Department of PM & Cabinet), Geoff Dangerfield (Ministry Economic Development) and Andrew West (NZQA) will address the Government's role in getting positive economic growth.

Business leaders Allan Freeth (Wrightsons), Kim Campbell (PSM Healthcare), David Boyd (Foot Science International) and Andrew Pearce (Landcare) will give an explanation of business needs for real growth.

Professor Glenn Withers (Australian National University) and Dr Arthur Grimes (Institute of Policy Studies) will outline policy options that would allow NZ to pay for an improved standard of living.

Other speakers and panellists from the media, union movement and NGOs will also focus on better prospects for New Zealanders.

Business NZ Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says it is rare for such a diverse line-up to concentrate in an integrated way on one important issue.

"The day's debate will contain markedly differing views, but the fact that such a diverse, high-powered group will be focusing on one issue only - a sustainable New Zealand - is a major achievement."

ENDS

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