Duncan O'Leary
Duncan works on projects looking at public services, skills and work.
at 2:53am on Thursday, 16th March 2006
- Perhaps the biggest lesson, which we hadn't picked up before we got here is the genuine sense that New Zealands is seeking a real renewal, rather than simply another round of restructuring. One of ou interviewees told us that it needs a new mission statement, not just a new set of managers.
- And the second big lesson is the uniqueness of New Zealand, which again is hard to pick up from a desk from London. What does this mean?
Firstly that New Zeland has a particular place in the world - away from pandemics and acts of terrorism - that offers a real advantage in the global economy.
Secondly, that the importance placed on quality of life and the environment here is another major potential asset.
Thirdly, that the Maori population (and the values that it holds dear) creates a very unique culture, and very unique set of forces for change in the future.
And finally that the size of New Zealand really matters. People here say that NZ is a village. This has all kind of implications - markets are difficult, scaling up learning is far easier than elsewhere, and everyone seems to know everyone. So policy hints, then, and probably a lesson, too, to be careful about making tongue-in-cheek jokes about Palmerston North on the blog...
- Perhaps the biggest lesson, which we hadn't picked up before we got here is the genuine sense that New Zealands is seeking a real renewal, rather than simply another round of restructuring. One of ou interviewees told us that it needs a new mission statement, not just a new set of managers.
- And the second big lesson is the uniqueness of New Zealand, which again is hard to pick up from a desk from London. What does this mean?
Firstly that New Zeland has a particular place in the world - away from pandemics and acts of terrorism - that offers a real advantage in the global economy.
Secondly, that the importance placed on quality of life and the environment here is another major potential asset.
Thirdly, that the Maori population (and the values that it holds dear) creates a very unique culture, and very unique set of forces for change in the future.
And finally that the size of New Zealand really matters. People here say that NZ is a village. This has all kind of implications - markets are difficult, scaling up learning is far easier than elsewhere, and everyone seems to know everyone. So policy hints, then, and probably a lesson, too, to be careful about making tongue-in-cheek jokes about Palmerston North on the blog...
LOGIN to add comments
Comments