Overview

Like many other small open economies, New Zealand’s economic prosperity depends on export success. New Zealand is committed to raising exports, but continuous growth has been hard to attain. In 2023, New Zealand’s exports to GDP ratio was 24%, trailing the OECD average of 29%. Indeed, the exports to GDP ratio plateaued at 30% two decades ago. Several governments – including the current coalition with its aim to double exports over the next 10 years – have attempted to address the situation. Why is sustained export growth elusive? Put differently, what is needed to grow exports? To uncover causes and possible remedies, the presentation taps into select research I have conducted on exports. The presentation covers free trade agreements, capabilities, export barriers, export-focused technology entrepreneurship, export promotion programmes, and trade policy responses to COVD-19. The presentation is pitched as a conversation starter on a critically important topic to New Zealand’s economic success.