Forming, storming, norming, performing.

After two years of forming a united team of five million, is New Zealand now in a period of ‘storming’ as we grapple with the challenges of reinvigorating our economy amid the challenges of decarbonisation, rising inflation and sharpening interest rates? This is a topic MEttle probes with the invaluable help and insight of people at the forefront of New Zealand’s business community.

We talked with Prue Flacks and Patrick Strange, respectively the Chairs of Mercury, Auckland Airport and Chorus, on how we can open New Zealand’s borders to recover our tourism sector while encouraging Kiwis not to leave for opportunities overseas. They also examine the responsibility of business to challenge on important topics, contributing to the debate as we seek to work together across industries, Government and public agencies to move forward.

Dame Therese Walsh, board Chair of both ASB and Air New Zealand, expresses her keen interest in refocusing on infrastructure spending and nurturing our international relations to move New Zealand past the last two years, urging us all not to be left behind.

Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua, Director of Tainui Group Holdings, and Mike Pohio, Chair of Ngāi Tahu Holdings, provide valuable perspectives on their personal career paths, the evolution and growing importance of the Māori economy, and the value that can be found in wider groups of people working together to achieve more for all people in Aotearoa.

Finally, Nicola Willis MP, Deputy Leader of the National Party, discusses what she would do to reduce regulation and costs for businesses, build stronger infrastructure, and set New Zealand on a sustainable course over the next 10 – 20 years.

We hope this issue of MEttle once again provokes valuable thought.