Arthur Grimes: productivity is the wrong question to ask

Arthur Grimes says we need to be concerned about incomes rather than productivity. (Image: NZME/Supplied/BusinessDesk)

Mon, 10 Nov 2025

We all assume NZ’s productivity is poor and needs fixing. For our Productivity Unleashed series, Arthur Grimes tells Greg Hurrell why productivity is the wrong goal to chase.New Zealand might have many economic issues to deal with, but its record on productivity isn’t nearly as bad as painted, prominent economist Arthur Grimes says.Grimes is a former Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ) chief economist and its chair from 2002-2013, as well as having held roles in academia and in business. He is currently a professor and chair of wellbeing...

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