Why New Zealand’s ‘No 8 Wire’ thinking won’t cut it: new BCG report

A new report from Boston Consulting Group says there are growth constraints on industries like tourism. (Image: NZME)

Thu, 06 Mar 2025

When it comes to industrial policy and picking winners, New Zealand has been spreading its bets too thin to ever hit the jackpot. Sometimes, it hasn’t even been making any bets at all.That’s the message of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in a report released Thursday morning entitled “What Will New Zealand be known for in 2050?”, authored by BCG managing partner Kelly Newton. “I don't phrase it as picking winners or losers. It's making choices,” Newton told BusinessDesk in an interview. &ldquo...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Primary Sector

Fonterra's plans unchanged despite court ruling

Bega reiterates its interest in Oceania business.

Rebecca Howard 3:45pm

Property

'Trusted' builders to certify their own work

The changes are the latest in the Government's moves to make building more efficient.

Maria Slade 1:20pm

'Trusted' builders to certify their own work

Technology

Microsoft to contract out more software selling

“We are evolving the commercial solution areas within our sales organisation."

Bloomberg 12:10pm

Microsoft to contract out more software selling

Sponsored

“Not an invisible footprint”: Why technology supply chains need optimising

Outdated hardware is a supply chain and cost risk.

Datacom

Sponsored

Bayleys Total Property Issue 3 out now

Backed by Bayleys’ national strength and global reach

Bayleys

More Economy

Retail

Exporter eyes golden growth from revamped investor visa

Could a foreign investor be the solution to Anihana's quest for capital?

Rebecca Stevenson 5:00am

Economy Free

Consumer confidence back on the up – ANZ survey

Consumer confidence rose five points to 98.3 in April, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey, shoring up the upward trend that was starting to look wobbly.But inflation expectations also rose sharply – up 0.5 points to 4.7%, the highest reading since July 2023.“Household...

Staff reporters 24 Apr 2025