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Our purpose

The principal purpose of the Commission is to provide advice to the Government on improving productivity in a way that is directed to supporting the overall well-being of New Zealanders, having regard to a wide range of communities of interest and population groups in New Zealand society.
New Zealand Productivity Commission Act, 2010
3 smiling people - 1 adult and 2 children with 2 more children in the background

Our work

The New Zealand Productivity Commission - Te Kōmihana Whai Hua o Aotearoa (the Commission that pursues abundance for New Zealand) - is an independent Crown Entity that began operating on 1 April 2011 after the New Zealand Productivity Commission Act was passed in December 2010. 

Our core responsibilities are to:

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Undertake in-depth inquiries on topics referred to us by the Government.

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Carry out productivity-related research that assists improvement in productivity over time.

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Promote understanding of productivity issues.

Our work across these three areas is largely at what we call the ‘framework level’, considering whether laws, policies, regulations and institutions best support the wellbeing of New Zealanders. This is different to workplace or individual productivity, which given our name some assume (understandably, but incorrectly) is our focus.

While the Commission is an independent body, its work programme is set by Ministers, with the Minister of Finance as our Responsible Minister. Find out more: read our 2020 Briefing to the incoming Minister, 2021 Letter of expectations from the Minister and 2019 Enduring letter of expectations to statutory Crown Entities.

Our vision

Productivity growth for maximum wellbeing.
Our vision reflects the fact that more wellbeing is better than less, as growing productivity creates more wellbeing options for New Zealanders, whether that be economic, social, environmental or cultural.
Growth

Our value

The Commission informs debate and makes recommendations that contribute to improved public policy with the aim of lifting productivity and the wellbeing of New Zealanders. To do this effectively, our policy advice must be both rigorous and trusted. Our value lies in our:

  • Independence - We are an independent research and advisory body. We do not run nor implement policies or programmes. We can test ideas and challenge the status quo in the interests of improving the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
  • Comprehensive engagement - Central to our impact and influence is our comprehensive public engagement process. Stakeholders can have a direct input in our inquiries and can influence our recommendations.
  • High-quality research and analysis - Our people have well-developed research and analytical skills, and the ability to undertake high-quality analysis and shape that into influential policy advice.

Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori

The Commission is committed to upholding the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles.

We acknowledge the status of Māori as tangata whenua – the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes:

  • Working to achieve the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our work programmes.
  • Engaging with Māori in a Te Tiriti-based partnership by actively seeking Māori input into our inquiry processes to bring a Te Ao Māori perspective to our work.
  • Further developing and maintaining our capability to engage with Māori and to understand Māori perspectives as they may relate to our inquiry and research work.

We are focused on providing our team with the knowledge and skills to appreciate and understand Te Tiriti o Waitaingi, and Māori language, culture and protocols.