A week in Wellington
I’ve finished my first week of meetings here in Wellington for my research into practical innovations in providing education and training in rural and remote areas. I’ve had a wonderfully warm welcome from policymakers in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Internal Affairs.
I’m struck how New Zealand has the potential to operate as a test bed for innovation due to its geographical isolation and relatively small scale. It has apparently played this role in the global technology sector since the mid 1980s when electronic payments were first introduced here. I’m interested to consider whether New Zealand operates for a test bed for policy as well as technology.
I’ve learnt how partnership underpins New Zealand policymaking. Critically, the country’s founding document Te Tiriti o Waitangi requires policymakers to recognise te ao Māori (the Māori world view) and matauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) in the development of legislation, regulation and policy. In practice this requires constant co-design and collaboration with iwi (the largest social unit in Māori culture) and renders unilateral government action impossible. And more broadly, in a country with fewer degrees of separation and where everyone does seem to know each other, it makes sense that getting everyone in one room and agreeing what action to take is more effective than legislation, regulation and guidance. In the UK, we tend disparage ‘talking shops’ and I’m interested to learn whether we need to stand up for the value of discussion.
This week: meetings on Regional Strategic Partnership Fund, Northland, Southland, Just Transitions Partnerships, Regional Skills Leadership Groups, income insurance, digital education, community investment and digital strategy. Morning surfs and evening runs in Wellington.
Next week: meeting digital education leaders in Christchurch and local leaders managing the response to the potential closure of Tiwai Alumninium smelter in Invercargill. Driving to see the natural wonders of Fjordland and Queenstown.
What I’m taking home with me: Whittaker’s chocolate and publishing Cabinet Papers and briefing to Ministers online — it would be free, it would improve information sharing and probably result in better quality briefing….
