2012-05-10 09:53:48 // Idealog
Gen-i head Chris Quin – widely tipped to replace outgoing Telecom chief executive Paul Reynolds until the revelation that Simon Moutter had been appointed to the role – will act as interim CEO from June 1.
2012-05-09 14:29:43 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Todd Carmichael of La Colombe Torrefaction thinks the word 'passion' is overused and overrated. But as he told the PSFK conference, that doesn't mean your company is doomed to fail. His take on successful leadership? "I manage the company as if it were – and I was – a decent person."
2012-05-04 13:34:15 // Tony Parker
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Design is a human resource and to invest in it is one of the most important global differentiators and competitiveness factors.
2012-05-03 15:37:05 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Change is the only constant, they say, yet change management is something few of us have a handle on.
2012-05-03 10:17:27 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
| 5 comments
Aucklanders can look forward to an integrated transport system, a third harbour crossing, and improved health and education services by 2040 if the city gets focused, takes action and builds investor confidence, according to a new study by the AECOM Global Cities Institute.
2012-04-26 14:58:38 // Idealog
Ministry of Economic Development chief executive David Smol has been handed the responsibility of acting chief executive at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
2012-04-26 14:04:32 // Idealog
The government has revealed plans to amend the Public Finance Act to rein in spending decisions by ministers, including a spending cap, and reporting on fiscal policy successes and failures.
2012-04-24 10:31:03 // Esther Goh
Four key government agency chief executive roles will be disestablished with a new acting chief executive appointed to lead the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment when it is up and running by July 1, the government confirmed today.
2012-04-23 10:34:52 // Esther Goh
Auckland International Airport boss Simon Moutter will be taking up the mantle of both managing director and chief executive at Telecom, it was announced today, putting an end to weeks of speculation that Gen-i's Chris Quin would be filling outgoing head Paul Reynolds' shoes.
2012-04-17 13:12:08 // Peter Kerr
// The Idealog Blog
| 11 comments
At the risk of displaying a Wellington-residential and Southland upbringing bias, the government’s keenness for an Aucklandisation of our science and innovation strikes me as stupid.
2012-04-11 16:11:11 // Jack Yan
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
We’re still hampered by politicians who cannot see past their own national boundaries or, at best, look at competing solely with a neighbouring nation.
2012-04-05 15:32:44 // Idealog
| 1 comment
Brett O’Riley is jumping ship from the soon-to-be-defunct MSI to ATEED, which has appointed him chief executive.
2012-04-04 14:37:30 // Mike Hutcheson
// Idealog #38: workshop
Organisations need injections of fresh thinking for their health and long-term survival. It's knowing how to do it that's the trick.
2012-04-04 09:33:09 // Idealog
The merger of the New Zealand Business Roundtable and the New Zealand Institute was completed last night with the launch of new libertarian think tank the New Zealand Initiative.
2012-04-03 16:35:48 // Josh Martin
// The Idealog Blog
Dr David Tanner, of kiwifruit giant Zespri, has some lessons in crisis handling for the rest of us.
2012-04-02 16:37:10 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
'Conscious capitalism' is a term frequently bandied about these days, but it seems outdoor apparel brand Patagonia really is walking the walk.
2012-03-30 15:57:42 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Looking to amp up the exporting side of your business? Think good and hard before moving forward.
2012-03-27 14:00:30 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
At Acrux's Melbourne office, the company's share price hangs in the lobby. It is updated every day, with a reminder that tomorrow's price is up to staff to determine.
2012-03-27 13:51:12
// The Idealog Blog
New Zealand is truly blessed with talent when it comes to our agribusiness. Here are our picks for our top 40 farming stars.
2012-03-26 23:30:38 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Exports make up about a third of our economy and they’re continuing to grow that slice of the pie. We’re moving up the value chain slowly, says NZTE chief executive Peter Chrisp – but overall, the picture is static, and that’s a huge concern.
2012-03-26 23:28:57 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
As a small country, New Zealand can’t do everything, let alone do everything well. It’s time to zero in on a few key sectors and throw our weight behind them, says MSI chief executive Murray Bain.
2012-03-26 12:16:10 // Jack Yan
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
The best thing we can do to honour Sir Paul is to carry on his legacy, and the dream he had for making New Zealand a better, more innovative nation.
2012-03-26 09:15:30 // Esther Goh
| 1 comment
Tributes are flowing in for Professor Sir Paul Callaghan, who passed away at his Wellington home on Saturday, March 24, after a battle with colon cancer.
2012-03-23 15:46:56 // Josh Martin
The Property Council has elected the current chief executive of Ngai Tahu Property Limited, Tony Sewell, as its national president.
2012-03-20 10:36:47 // Andy Kenworthy
// Idealog #38: workshop
| 1 comment
Biz whiz Derek Handley reckons sustainability and innovation would make for smashing bedfellows.
2012-03-19 13:29:01 // Peter Griffin
// The Idealog Blog
Wellington is abuzz with news of the super ministry, which was unveiled last week and will have major implications for a large number of public servants.
2012-03-16 10:06:00 // Idealog
Telecom, Air New Zealand, Auckland Council and Bank of New Zealand are all celebrating wins after the New Zealand CFO Awards last night.
2012-03-15 14:32:46 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Tom Peters is a former military engineer turned business guru, consultant and management speaker. Yesterday he spoke to the Food & Grocery Council about ways to do business better. Here are a few gems from his presentation.
2012-03-15 12:25:12 // Esther Goh
The latest in a raft of government reforms will see the establishment of a single, dedicated, business-facing department, or super ministry, to be known as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
2012-03-15 10:14:19 // Pattrick Smellie
// Idealog #38: workshop
| 2 comments
One of the most annoying false arguments we have in New Zealand is about where economic growth should come from.
2012-03-13 10:07:22 // Idealog
| 2 comments
John Key is expected to announce a new super ministry combining the economic development, science and innovation portfolios and others under the watch of Steven Joyce this week.
2012-03-12 14:41:41 // Idealog
It's a big spot to fill, but the next president of the Royal Society of New Zealand, the University of Otago’s previous Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir David Skegg, has a pedigree that will stand him well.
2012-03-12 12:59:29 // Idealog
Genomics software company Biomatters has appointed former managing director Dr Brett Ammundsen as chief executive to lead the company as genomics progresses from research into new clinical and consumer applications.
2012-03-07 12:51:18 // Sue Ironside
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
We all want to see a more competitive and productive economy. So let's encourage innovation – and in particular women innovators.
2012-03-07 10:26:46 // Idealog
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is no more – come April 30, it will be known as the Ministry for Primary Industries encompassing all government work across the agricultural, horticultural, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and food sectors, as well as biosecurity.
2012-03-06 10:22:49 // Esther Goh
| 1 comment
As a small trade-dependent country, New Zealand will be increasingly pulled towards greener growth as other larger economies move in this direction.
2012-02-29 13:43:22 // Paul Adams
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
New Zealand is at a public research crossroad: push it into the real world or continue to write off vast amounts.
2012-02-29 13:03:00 // Hazel Phillips
// Idealog #38: now
Nikki Kaye tells Hazel Phillips how she's faring, nearly six months on from defending her position in a spot of national significance.
2012-02-24 15:52:59 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Cities bring together the best and worst of society. Check out some of the coolest urban projects happening now, planning for tomorrow.
2012-02-22 14:30:49 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
New Zealand must embrace science in order to be a truly innovative nation, Massey University vice-chancellor Steve Maharey told a conference in Wellington today.
2012-02-20 10:02:27 // Idealog
Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard reckons New Zealand may not be doing so badly after all – he blames inconsistent measurements for the persistent income gap between New Zealand and Australia.
2012-02-16 17:16:42 // Siobhan Leathley
// The Idealog Blog
Prime minister John Key and Air New Zealand head Rob Fyfe are among the judges of a new business award scheme launched this week.
2012-02-16 10:08:38 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye is passionate about her city. And she thinks it's finally on the right track, stepping back and taking a longer-term view of issues with the Auckland Plan as a starting point.
2012-02-14 17:14:15 // Siobhan Leathley
// The Idealog Blog
Motivational speaker Philip Hesketh reckons there are only two elements to corporate and personal success: the killer question and the Columbo moment.
2012-02-13 09:24:09 // Idealog
Kent Gardner has been named the UK New Zealander of the Year 2012 at the New Zealand Society’s annual Waitangi Day Charity Dinner in London.
2012-02-09 13:09:54 // Peter Kerr
// The Idealog Blog
Steven Joyce has the opportunity to spout a new mantra on behalf of all New Zealanders – have a go, and another after that.
2012-02-08 10:43:15 // Esther Goh
Director fees are on the up but still tracking below pre-recession levels – and boards are still failing in the female representation stakes.
2012-02-03 10:20:58 // Siobhan Leathley
// The Idealog Blog
Six emerging leaders are being sought by the Sir Peter Blake Trust in its annual hunt for worthy recipients of its leadership awards.
2012-02-03 09:49:28 // Esther Goh
| 1 comment
Exports are the key to building national wealth, the Ministry of Economic Development has told incoming minister Steven Joyce.
2012-02-03 08:30:31 // Esther Goh
The government has plenty of opportunities to deepen New Zealand's capital markets and fix IP laws to stimulate innovation, a briefing to the incoming commerce minister reads.
2012-01-31 11:23:51 // Esther Goh
Larger-than-life Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe has confirmed he will be leaving the airline at the end of the year after seven years at its helm.
2012-01-31 11:09:03 // Idealog
Local Government New Zealand has chosen a new chief executive – Genesis Energy's general manager of corporate affairs, Malcolm Alexander.
2012-01-27 12:28:05 // Idealog
A trio of Kiwis who all helped raise funds for the Canterbury earthquake appeal are the finalists for the UK New Zealander of the Year Award 2012.
2012-01-24 13:28:17 // Siobhan Leathley
// The Idealog Blog
Research in Motion co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie have resigned from the company following months of investor pressure.
2012-01-24 11:10:10 // Siobhan Leathley
// The Idealog Blog
Experts agree the Asia Pacific region can expect continual growth in private equity, according to the Ernst & Young 2012 Private Equity Outlook report.
2012-01-20 13:54:40 // Bryan Walker
// The Idealog Blog
| 5 comments
The task of turning governments worldwide away from fossil fuel exploration and extraction seems herculean. But we have no alternative than to keep at it
2012-01-19 09:34:01 // Sustain Team
// The Idealog Blog
Want to help solve the climate crisis? Think you have the leadership skills to be one of the key leaders in climate change? Then read on.
2012-01-18 12:01:04 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Google and the World Bank are joining forces to improve disaster preparation and development efforts globally.
2012-01-13 10:24:06 // Siobhan Leathley
// The Idealog Blog
As the Ports of Auckland standoff drags on, the Productivity Commission is recommending partial privatisation of council air and sea port assets.
2012-01-11 16:00:23 // Esther Goh
// Idealog #37: workshop
Getting skilled people to work in the industry - and holding onto the ones we already have - is a major driver for the new CEO of NZICT.
2011-12-20 10:34:33 // Mike Booker
// The Idealog Blog
| 4 comments
The ‘merger’ is a public show of a marriage of equals, but usually it’s no such thing – the Business Roundtable and New Zealand Institute are like chalk and cheese.
2011-12-16 14:40:43 // Idealog
New Zealand's small think tank sector is contracting further with the consolidation of the New Zealand Business Roundtable and the New Zealand Institute.
2011-12-16 09:59:13 // Idealog
Ex-Fonterra chief executive Andrew Ferrier is joining the board of New Zealand's largest privately-owned software exporter.
2011-12-12 13:07:30 // Siobhan Leathley
A new economic plan to expand and diversify the city of Wellington has been approved by the mayor and members of the city council.
2011-12-09 10:20:45 // Siobhan Leathley
| 2 comments
A new mentoring programme linking women with senior directors of large company boards launched this week in a drive to boost the number of women in business leadership roles.
2011-12-07 13:34:09 // Kate Beecroft
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Chief scientific advisor to the Prime Minister, Sir Peter Gluckman, has outlined the need for embedding R&D into the heart of Auckland and put paid to the Kiwi No.8 wire myth.
2011-12-05 11:00:23 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
It pays to be small these days – small countries are going to be the drivers of the new global economy, says Kiwi expat and economist David Skilling.
2011-12-02 12:45:28 // Idealog
| 1 comment
The New Zealand public sector once again tops the charts for integrity, prompting state services minister Tony Ryall to praise public servants for leading the world in transparency.
2011-12-02 09:41:42 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, chief science adviser to the Prime Minister, is a staunch champion of science as a pillar of economic development and innovation. And turning Auckland into a major Asia-Pacific innovation hub will be the topic du jour when he speaks in Auckland next week.
2011-11-28 15:15:20 // Idealog
Re-elected Prime Minister John Key is in talks with United Future, Act and the Maori Party as he attempts to drum up coalition support.
2011-11-28 14:44:22 // Esther Goh
| 1 comment
The future of Act is uncertain – a new leader, brand and possibly even a name change are on the cards after this weekend's election result.
2011-11-25 10:15:33 // Idealog
| 2 comments
Labour has staked its election campaign upon a promise to retain SOEs in New Zealand – but are asset sales the devil in disguise as Goff paints them out to be?
2011-11-23 18:54:47 // Vincent Heeringa
// The Idealog Blog
| 27 comments
I have voted National or Act all my life, but the search warrants disgust me so much I'm making a protest vote.
2011-11-23 09:42:52 // Idealog
| 1 comment
The Greens are promising to establish a $100 million startup fund for cleantech projects and boost central government R&D funding by $1 billion in the next three years.
2011-11-18 13:36:42 // Pattrick Smellie
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Start preparing now for life under a Labour/Greens combination by the middle of the decade.
2011-11-18 10:19:29 // Hazel Phillips
// The Idealog Blog
| 5 comments
Our leaders all need a big cup of grow the hell up, or at least an after-school detention to sort them out.
2011-11-17 15:25:39 // Matt Nolan
// Idealog #36: workshop
| 2 comments
Making our system simpler is the only way to fix it. A flat tax is the best way forward.
2011-11-17 09:37:55 // Idealog
Christchurch biochemist Professor Christine Winterbourn last night became the first woman ever to receive the country's highest science and technology honour – the Rutherford Medal.
2011-11-14 09:45:27 // Idealog
Labour's plan to reinstate a Minister of Rural Affairs if it wins the election has been welcomed by Rural Women NZ, which says the rural sector has been marginalised without an effective spokesperson.
2011-11-11 09:41:01 // Idealog
Brent Robinson, CEO and CTO of crystal manufacturer Rakon, has been named the 13th recipient of the Tait Radio Communications Flying Kiwi Award, joining a hall of fame that includes Sir Woolf Fisher and Maurice Paykel, Bill Gallagher, Trevor Eagle, Sir Gil Simpson, and Rod Drury.
2011-11-11 09:29:19 // Idealog
The Chamber of Commerce is calling for the incoming government to rethink its approach to exports, joining forces with the private sector to campaign to sell more to the rest of the world.
2011-11-10 12:48:33 // Esther Goh
Scientist, social entrepreneur and inventor Sir Ray Avery is an inspirational Kiwi if ever there was one – and you can catch him at a public lecture at Massey University’s Albany campus next month.
2011-11-08 14:46:25 // David Tripe
// The Idealog Blog
In the short run, the New Zealand economy is likely to deteriorate, and another credit rating downgrade can't be ruled out.
2011-11-07 15:53:45 // Esther Goh
Matua Valley Wines founder Maureen Maxwell is on a mission to foster stronger links between New Zealand's bee and honey industry and the rest of the world.
2011-11-07 11:56:43 // Esther Goh
What's to be done about the decline in foreign investment into New Zealand? Well, we could start close to home: Kiwi expats are an untapped source of potential investment, non-profit organisation Kea New Zealand has found.
2011-11-07 09:13:09 // Idealog
| 6 comments
Women in New Zealand are losing ground in the gender equality fight, according to the World Economic Forum's latest findings.
2011-11-04 13:32:46 // Pattrick Smellie
// The Idealog Blog
For three years, Prime Minister John Key has talked a good game on the importance of innovation policy, but it took an election – and perhaps just a touch of Prime Ministerial frustration – to force the pace on the long-stalled plans for Industrial Research Ltd.
2011-11-02 09:40:28 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
If you can get past the snore-inducing title, the Atlas of Economic Complexity is pretty awesome.
2011-10-31 10:08:01 // Mike Booker
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
Baby boomers have a habit of getting what we want - but the ones paying for it are invisible.
2011-10-28 13:19:57 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Green growth is gaining traction in Europe, and it's time New Zealand followed suit, the University of Auckland's head of economics says.
2011-10-26 17:04:28 // Esther Goh
Kiwi food and beverage exporters need to focus on adding value if the sector is to live up to its full growth potential, an industry report released today shows.
2011-10-26 13:31:03 // Vincent Heeringa
// The Idealog Blog
Professor Michael Enright, member of the international Competitiveness Institute (TCI), hits town next month for the organisation's annual global conference.
In the meantime, he spoke to Idealog about how New Zealand could position itself as a trade centre and why there’s nothing inconsistent about a competitive economy and a minimum wage.
2011-10-26 09:14:44 // Robert Hickson
// The Idealog Blog
Rather than thinking that we can’t be prosperous (economically and otherwise) because we are small and isolated, we should consider how we can make New Zealand “Too Small To Fail” during turbulent times.
2011-10-25 11:21:16 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
Get the basics right, invest in development, and never compromise on quality. That was the take-home message at the Thrive International conference on Friday, with John Buchanan from the International Chamber of Commerce urging companies to invest in innovation in order to grow revenue.
2011-10-24 09:01:56 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
In the grand scale of things, New Zealand may be a mere speck at the bottom of the globe – but we’ve got a role to play on the world stage, if we’re prepared to seize the opportunity.
2011-10-19 11:00:07 // Aaron Wallace
// The Idealog Blog
“There just wasn’t enough time.” Who would have guessed that this classic quote from Marlon Brando in the Godfather trilogy would be echoing through many boardrooms today?
2011-10-17 11:36:19 // Dr Jennifer Holmgren
// The Idealog Blog
Demand for food and fuel is growing – and this is inextricably linked to the health of our environment. We need the world's collective intellect to find answers.
2011-10-17 11:00:10 // Esther Goh
A government-run app store, a single regulator for telecommunications and broadcasting and priority for rural broadband are among the measures proposed under the Labour Party's IT policy.
2011-10-13 15:11:07 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Festival for the Future is the latest venture for Splashroom Media, the socially conscious Dunedin filmmakers.
2011-10-13 10:49:28
By tailoring the product development process for different kinds of innovations, companies can generate immediate revenues while cultivating future opportunities, writes Conrad Wai.
2011-10-11 14:29:14 // Idealog
Simon Power, the minister of commerce and justice, is leaving Parliament to take up the mantle of Westpac's head of private banking in January.
2011-10-10 09:25:28 // Idealog
Forget the Super City – an alliance between seven councils in the North Island will represent 2.3 million people, or more than half of all New Zealanders.
2011-10-10 08:35:48 // Paul S Allen
// The Idealog Blog
The Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill is a mark of laziness – the fact the government has proposed to use retrospective legislation should stand as a warning to all.
2011-10-05 09:19:12 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Recession? What recession? Applications are open now for a $50,000 scholarship for a New Zealand woman embarking on post-graduate studies, with preference given to studies in business, political science, economics or law.
2011-09-30 12:02:32 // Idealog
| 2 comments
We can't blame our size or lack of minerals for the growing income gap between New Zealand and Australia, according to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.
2011-09-26 17:19:10 // Idealog
New Zealand needs a few lessons in competitiveness, if you put stock in the World Economic Forum's opinion, and November will see delegates from more than 40 countries descend on Auckland to build alliances, explore new models and envision what's next in economic development.
2011-09-22 16:13:20 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
Professor Sir Paul Callaghan has written a business plan for New Zealand – and it doesn’t include winning the World Cup.
2011-09-20 13:40:30 // Esther Goh
| 1 comment
It's a tall order, making Auckland's the 'world's most liveable city' by 2040, but we'll never know if we don't try. Mayor Len Brown today launched the draft Auckland Plan, accompanied by plans for the region’s economic development, the city centre and the waterfront, which outline initiatives for urban design and business growth to secure its future as a "globally competitive city".
2011-09-12 10:46:57
Is the Arab Spring is making way for a corporate spring? According to Forbes' David Kirkpatrick, this points to a bright future for business and society globally.
2011-09-08 10:27:49 // Esther Goh
New Zealand has been named the 25th most competitive economy out of 142 countries, conceding two places from last year's ranking after being leapfrogged by Israel and Malaysia.
2011-09-07 13:52:28 // Vincent Heeringa
// Idealog #35: workshop
Peter Salmon is doing good and being paid for it; his hybrid programmes combine all the enthusiasm of entrepreneurs with social aims of do-gooders.
2011-09-06 14:40:49
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Are defined hours of work an anachronism that’s holding us back? Or is the freedom to work whenever we want something still reserved for a select few, and/or a trap that causes us to work more rather than less? Mathew Ingram ponders the evolving workplace
2011-08-26 10:02:44 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Think the annual arts fest in the Nevada desert is nothing more than a week-long bacchanal? Think again – Fast Company's E.B. Boyd explains what we can learn from its execution.
2011-08-24 11:24:45 // Esther Goh
Balance sheets at tertiary institutions are looking increasingly healthy thanks to increasing student enrolments and government funding.
2011-08-15 10:49:05 // Esther Goh
Criticise executive salaries all you like: company directors are enjoying higher pay because they face ever-increasing levels of accountability, says one consultancy.
2011-08-11 10:55:58 // Idealog
Ex-Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast can now add chair of the New Zealand Tourism Board to her list of executive responsibilities.
2011-08-11 10:10:00 // Andrea Rush
// The Idealog Blog
| 3 comments
New research puts the Maori economic base at $36.9 billion and Maori as the world's third most entrepreneurial indigenous people.
2011-07-28 14:57:08 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
The hunt is on for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year: someone who has made an outstanding service, achievement or contribution to the country, and is presumably suitably humble about it all.
2011-07-25 10:01:12 // Idealog
The Financial Markets Authority has added to its leadership team, appointing three new staff to support chief executive Sean Hughes.
2011-01-11 19:11:34 // David MacGregor
// The Idealog Blog
| 3 comments
Advertising is famously populated with characters. The cliche is that of the ruthless, dashing fellow, characterised by Don Draper in the TV show Mad Men. There are the Machiavellian, the tortured and insecure, the banal and phantasmagoric; the attention seekers and poseurs. And then there are folk like Roger Dickinson …
2010-09-03 15:05:26 // Dwight Whitney
// Idealog #29: export
Exporting has its attractions but if your finances aren’t in place or properly structured you’ll feel the thorns.
