Join Ganesh Nana, Chair of the New Zealand Productivity Commission, for an informative and robust discussion on how improved productivity lifts wellbeing outcomes and how the strained and stressed wellbeing of many in Aotearoa impacts on the productivity of businesses, organisations, and enterprises in our community.”

“Well-being is no longer a nice to have. There is a growing realisation that the rules, structures, and institutions underpinning our economy need to also be responsible for delivering wellbeing to all.”

Ganesh Nana – Chair New Zealand Productivity Commission Te Kōmihana Whai Hua o Aotearoa

Ganesh is a first-generation New Zealander, born, bred, and educated in Te Whanganui a Tara. His interest in economics originally emanated from his love of numbers, which in turn arose out of his passion for cricket.

Ganesh took up the position of Chair of the Productivity Commission Te Kōmihana Whai Hua o Aotearoa after 22 years at the consultancy Business and Economics Research Limited (BERL). His work at BERL covered a broad range of projects. His highlight was efforts in strengthening relationships with Māori entities and organisations and building an understanding of te ōhanga Māori.

In 2018 he was appointed a member of the Government established Welfare Expert Advisory Group, which reported back in 2019 with Whakamana Tangata – Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand.

Prior to BERL, Ganesh acted as primary caregiver to his pre-school children while also employed as part-time lecturer at Victoria University. Before children, Ganesh managed to explore some parts of the world – including working in England as a researcher at the House of Commons gaining experience with IMF and OECD economic models. On his way home to Aotearoa he spent several months visiting family and ancestral lands across India.

Ganesh believes economics is fundamentally about people and is best reflected in our collective role as kaitiaki o taonga.

Event sponsored by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Priority 1 and the Tauranga Maori Business Association.

Nau mai, haere mai

PROGRAMME

4.30pm – Light refreshments

5.00pm – mihi whakatau and karakia – Kaumatua

5.05pm – Welcome from Nigel Tutt

5.10pm – Chair Prof Jens Mueller introduces Productivity Commissioner Ganesh Nana

6.00pm - Q & A