Well-Being and Public Policy: a Radically Different Approach  Girol Karacao

CATALYST is all about bringing intellectual stimulation to the Wakatipu – providing locals and visitors with the opportunity for mental as well as adrenal challenge.

Catalyst Trust Queenstown

New Zealand is suffering from “boiling frog syndrome,” says former Treasury chief economist. What do we need to do to stop the boil?

The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences

New Zealand is suffering from “boiling frog syndrome,” says former Treasury chief economist and now head of Victoria University’s School of Government, Girol Karacaoglu.And like that frog, sinking in a tranquil stupor as the water gradually heats to boiling point, New Zealand might also unresistingly be boiled to death if we don’t wake up to the damage we are causing by our current way of life.Dr Karacaoglu says Covid 19 was our boiling water moment. “We saw it, we felt it, and we jumped out – brilliantly executed – and almost unanimously supported”.But the ongoing damage we are causing to our ‘wellbeing garden’ and our lifestyle’s sustainability – through increasing poverty and inequality, environmental degradation and stresses on our social fabric and democracy – will end in disaster if we don’t jump out, soon.What do we need to do and what kinds of public policies do we need in support of what we need to do to stop the boil up, so that we and future generations can continue to live the lives we wish to live?

Girol Karacaoglu came to Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington from the New Zealand Treasury, where he was chief economist. Before then, he was chief executive of the Co-operative Bank of New Zealand for nine years. His previous roles included general manager at Westpac NZ, chief economist at the National Bank of NZ, and lecturer in Economics at Victoria University. His current research interest is in public policy - an integrated approach to economic, environmental and social policies towards improving intergenerational wellbeing.Monday, August 23, 6-7.30pm, The Rees Hotel Queenstown conference room. Registration opens on July 23 to ensure your seat and for contact tracing purposes. Any necessary updates will be notified to registrants and posted on our Facebook page. Please stay home if you feel sick and observe the requirements of whichever alert level we are at. Koha collected at the door will be given to the Wakatipu Community Foundation Greatest Needs Fund.

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