Productivity: Uncloud the BS

The goal of productivity is to simply get the most out of the least time spent. (Image: Getty)

Sat, 10 May 2025

Productivity is the efficiency measure in producing goods or services, typically expressed as the ratio of output to input within a given time.It reflects how effectively resources such as time, labour or capital are used to achieve desired outcomes.Said another way, it's GDP (gross domestic product) produced per hour worked or how efficient you are.Ireland is the most productive country in the world, with US$120 (NZ$203.55) of output per hour of work. In fact, Europe is in the top 10 countries outside North America, at No 6.Australia...

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.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

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 }}

Retail

Smiths City placed in voluntary administration

All nine Smiths City stores and online shop have been temporarily closed.

Staff reporters 10:45am

Infrastructure

A year late, but AWS $7.5b investment is here

Amazon's $7.5b datacentre investment originally announced in 2021 is here.

Dileepa Fonseka 10:00am

A year late, but AWS $7.5b investment is here

Markets

Being AI fined $50,000 over governance breaches

Being AI accepted full responsibility.

Gregor Thompson 9:40am

Being AI fined $50,000 over governance breaches

Sponsored

Bold Steps: reshaping women’s leadership in Aotearoa

Dame Therese Walsh and Dame Joan Withers reflect on the summit’s unlikely beginnings – and how it has evolved into a platform for ambition and impact today.

OnBeingBold

Sponsored