Workshop with Brian Easton, David Skilling and expert panellists, November 2022
The Productivity Commission hosted an event to introduce the inquiry, outline some initial thinking, explore the history of previous supply chain disruptions, and test some possible scenarios for research.
Following presentations by Brian Easton and Dr David Skilling, Dr Ganesh Nana chaired a panel discussion with Catherine de Fontenay (Australian Productivity Commission), Bryan Chapple (NZ Commerce Commission), Craig Renney (Council of Trade Unions) and the Productivity Commission’s Director of Research Dr Philip Stevens.
All panellists spoke in their personal capacities, rather than as representatives of their organisations.
Some takeaways from the discussion:
- Geopolitical, climate and other risks will continue to disrupt New Zealand supply chains.
- Disruptions will be such that calls for public intervention will increase, not decrease – and existing responsibilities for adaptation and transition might need reform.
- Trade and supply chain disruptions are increasingly political, and Aotearoa will struggle to influence events.
- Geography could matter more over time, not less. The world was never ‘flat’, and New Zealand needs to think about how it connects to the world, particularly through shipping.
- Communities should not be left behind in structural change. Asking them to ‘be more resilient’ is not fair and is not going to work.
See workshop slides from the Productivity Commission
See presentation by Dr David Skilling, Director of Landfall Strategy Ltd
See presentation slides from Brian Easton, Economic Historian
See presentation notes from Brian Easton, Economic Historian
See presentation by Catherine de Fontenay, Australia Productivity Commissioner.
