The Role of Technology in Transforming the New Zealand Economy

I have also attached the paper in a word document due to formatting and graph issues

Executive Summary

This overview paper proposes an integrated approach for innovation policy, focusing on the particular role of technology, to support the Government's economic goals. It includes a review of the role of technology in the New Zealand economy as a basis for identifying priorities for innovation policy.

Compared to our trading partners we have experienced slower economic growth over the last few decades, slipping in OECD rankings from 9th in 1955 to 20th currently. While low technology products still dominate our exports, other nations have vigorously applied technological innovation to develop high value goods and services.

We are nevertheless poised to drive more rapid economic growth from knowledge-based industries and high technology exports, with increasing business expenditure in R&D and increasing innovation activity. The Government's innovation policies will affect the extent to which we realise this potential growth.

The Seat of Government

Government spending

Government House

This paper sets up a series of four further papers, which will more definitely position technology policy as an important component of a wider innovation policy. These papers will identify options for the Government to:

Expand our knowledge base, by upskilling researchers and technologists so they can generate new knowledge and access knowledge from around the world;

Enhance our ideas engines, by developing better incentives and mechanisms for Crown Research Institutes and Universities to commercialise their research in partnership with the private sector;

Grow technological capability in firms, by increasing the flows of researchers into business; and

Build links between research, education and enterprise by integrating policy threads across government.

2.0 Background

Various Government policies can contribute to increasing the long-run rate of growth of the New Zealand economy. This paper provides information on the place of, and opportunities for, technology in the development...