Productivity – Dr Oliver Hartwich

World map showing continents filled with numbers and digits against a starry background

Australian workers produce in 39 minutes what a New Zealand worker produces in an hour. We need to do better.

23/07/2026

New Zealand’s road toll has fallen significantly since 1973, yet it still ranks poorly internationally. The nation excels in societal metrics but lags in productivity, risking its economic standing.

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Rate cuts mask New Zealand’s productivity crisis

02/12/2024

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand cut the cash rate to tackle productivity challenges, emphasising the need for structural reforms and fiscal discipline to foster sustainable economic growth and improve living standards.

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The dinner talk New Zealand needs

29/09/2023

Families decide spending based on income. Similarly, election debates should focus on increasing productivity for better options and improvements.

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Productivity Commission’s report a timely reminder

24/08/2018

Let’s admit it; there are more appealing things to do than think about state sector productivity. But just because it is a specialist niche topic does not mean it is not important.

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Freie Bauern, freies Neuseeland

28/02/2016

Eine Landwirtschaft ohne Subventionen ist
nicht nur möglich, sondern auch erfolgreich. Das zeigt das Beispiel Neuseeland.

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The flawed giant of Europe

25/03/2010

Australians worried about their productivity performance in international rankings may relax a little. There is not much in the German experience that they should wish to copy.

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