The high cost of caution: risk aversion’s role in NZ’s export muddle

Food and fibre holds good potential for export growth but there are barriers. (Image: Getty)

Tue, 16 Apr 2024

A new report argues the food and fibre sector holds good potential for NZ to grow its export footprint but settings around risk, investment and management are all obstacles to progress.The Helen Clark Foundation Pathways to Prosperity report, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), involved interviews with 18 food and fibre sector leaders. Fonterra and co-operative structures were singled out as one reason why more risks had not been taken in the food and fibre sector. “Interviewees described several...

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