26 July 2004
LAUNCH OF THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE
HERALDS “A NEW GENERATION OF THINKING”
The New Zealand Institute is a new independent “think tank” that brings together some of the
country’s most innovative thinkers with the shared aim of creating a better and more prosperous
New Zealand.
Launched today in Auckland, the Institute is made up of leading New Zealanders from a wide
range of backgrounds including business, education and community service. Its aim is to
generate national debate, ideas and solutions to help make a difference to all New Zealanders.
Chief executive Dr David Skilling said the Institute was committed to creative, provocative and
independent thinking, focusing on issues that will have a major impact on New Zealand’s
economic and social future, and engaging with New Zealanders in order to develop solutions to
meet these issues.
“We’re not just another group of talking heads. Our work will include undertakjng independent
research on important issues, engaging with groups throughout the community on these issues,
and working with the private and public sectors to identify and implement practical solutions.”
Dr Skilling said that the Institute’s unique strength lies in the diversity of its members’ talents and
experience.
“As a group we’re definitely greater than the sum of our parts. Our members are all leaders in
their fields and come from many different walks of life. Together we offer a richness of
experience that I believe will make the Institute a hugely valuable resource for this country.“
Dr Skilling said that all the Institute’s members were driven by the belief that New Zealand is a
country with so much potential and opportunity ahead of it.
As Executive Board member Peter Biggs notes, “We live in a fantastic country but we have to
overcome a number of challenges if we are going to make it even better. Those challenges won’t
be met by recycling the same old solutions. We need new solutions and new ideas. We need a
new generation of thinking.”
To refresh the national debate, the Institute will draw on the best ideas and practice from around
the world and feed these into the New Zealand “conversation”.
“By introducing new and creative world-class thinking into the local environment, we believe we
can contribute to improved prosperity and social outcomes for all New Zealanders ,” he said.
[this can come from Diane Robertson]
One of the Institute’s guiding principles is its political neutrality. “We recognise that great ideas
can come from anywhere on the political spectrum – left, right or centre. We are interesed in
ideas that work in the real world, not just ideas that have a certain political pedigree. And so we
expect to surprise rather than run a predictable party line.” said Dr Skilling.
The New Zealand Institute today released its first paper examining the wealth of New Zealand
households and comparing the outcome with other countries. The paper is part of its initial
research program on “Creating an Ownership Society”.
Founding Board members of the Institute include McKinsey & Company director Andrew Grant,
Westpac New Zealand CEO Ann Sherry, Onehunga High School principal Chris Saunders,
Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson, Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Dr John Hood, St
Cuthbert’s College principal Lynda Reid, Deustche Bank managing director Scott Perkins,
Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall and Ngai Tahu chief executive Tahu Potiki. (A full list of
board members and their biographies are attached)
In addition to members of the Board, the Institute has a growing number of members from the
business, community and education sectors.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Karine Fox, Communications Director, The New Zealand Institute, Ph: 09 309 6230 or 021 185
0691, karine_fox@nzinstitute.org