From Complacency to Cultivation

I am sure I am not the only one who has laid awake in the silence of the new day, wondering how we got here. Not in an existential sense but in terms of our nation's trajectory. Whose compass are we following? Who charted this course we're seemingly bound to follow? And more importantly, why does it feel like we're adrift while the rest of the world sails ahead?

Every year, I look back on the past twelve months and reflect on what this chapter of life has taught me. Some years, the chapter is punctuated by many events of major significance and learning, while others have felt like the pendulum swung off its suspension point to throw me into the abyss of chaos. For the most part, there is a sense of accomplishment that comes with feeling like the reigns are still in my hands.

Will I still feel this sense of control next month when we celebrate New Year’s Eve?

With 2024 marking the final year before we enter the second quarter of the 21st century, it's a pivotal moment for introspection. We've amassed data, insights, and predictions over the past two decades. Yet, in areas like equity, carbon reduction, housing access, and job security, progress appears stagnant—or worse, regressive.

Has a sense of apathy emerged where we feel too battle-scarred and economically bruised to imagine what a better future looks like?

We have many natural advantages from living far from the frontlines of war and away from the realities of those living in the extremes of the heating planet. We enjoy many natural advantages that other nations envy: fertile soils, a temperate climate, and a GDP that positions us comfortably in the global middle class. We've often been likened to the "Switzerland of the Pacific"—neutral and non-threatening. This middle-child syndrome grants us a certain complacency, a belief that avoiding extremes equates to stability.

But this complacency comes at a cost.

One glaring chasm that stifles our ability to step boldly into the future is the lack of connection between our academic institutions and the business sector. Despite being repositories of cutting-edge research and data, higher education often operates in silos, their findings confined to academic journals and conferences. Meanwhile, many business leaders make decisions based on tradition or instinct, lacking knowledge that could propel their industries forward.

According to the OECD, New Zealand's investment in research and development (R&D) is significantly lower than other developed nations, sitting at just 1.37% of GDP(1). This underinvestment hampers innovation and restricts our ability to compete globally.

Moreover, postgraduate study rates in New Zealand lag behind the rest of the world. The Ministry of Education reported that in 2022, only 6% of New Zealand's tertiary students were enrolled in postgraduate programs (2). This is a concerning statistic when considering that advanced degrees are often catalysts for research breakthroughs and technological advancements.

Here in lies the challenge. The data, research and development we need to best understand the opportunities for the future and our ability to regain control of our future is not being utilised by our businesses. Too few business leaders and even fewer managers are encouraged to invest time in lifting the lid on the hard facts of new realities in favour of more of the same.

Are we uninterested or simply uninformed? Perhaps a bit of both. A pervasive sense of apathy has taken root, fueled by battle scars from economic downturns and societal challenges. Short-term benefits are often prioritised over long-term aspirations, leading to decisions that may offer immediate relief but undermine future prosperity.

The business sector's reluctance to engage with academic research exacerbates this issue. A survey by BusinessNZ found that 62% of companies did not collaborate with universities or research institutions (3). Reasons cited included a perceived lack of relevance and the belief that existing knowledge sufficed for operational needs.

However, in an era defined by rapid technological change and global interconnectedness, relying solely on established knowledge is a recipe for obsolescence. The World Economic Forum emphasises that adaptability and continuous learning are essential for future success (4).

Encouraging our business leaders to undertake further studies would greatly improve our country’s ability to tackle complex challenges. Advanced degrees foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and specialised knowledge—all invaluable assets in today's competitive landscape but are too often seen as the domain of academics, not business leaders.

No future looks anything like the one we lived in the very recent past. We need to become educated on what the diversification of our sectors might look like; we need to build an understanding of the pressure points amplifying through significant demographic shifts and changing priorities.?

So, as we stand on the cusp of 2025, the question isn't just what the new year will bring but what we will bring to the new year. It's time to take the reins firmly in hand and steer our nation towards a future defined by innovation, equity, and sustainability.

However, to achieve this, will require a collective effort:

• Businesses need to actively support business leaders to undertake professional development programmes and invest in R&D, not an expense but a strategic imperative.
• Education institutions need to break down silos and make research accessible and relevant to industry needs. This includes the promotion of interdisciplinary studies that mirror the complexities of the real world.
• Individuals need to embrace lifelong learning and challenge the notion that education ends with a degree.?

New Zealand's potential is immense, but its unrealised potential is untapped. To transform our advantages into tangible progress, we must shed complacency and engage deeply with the knowledge at our disposal. The future won't wait, and neither should we.

Sources

1. OECD Data. (2023). Gross domestic spending on R&D. Retrieved from OECD website?
2. Ministry of Education New Zealand. (2022). Tertiary Education Enrolments. Retrieved from Education Counts?
3. BusinessNZ. (2021). Business Engagement with Research Institutions. Retrieved from BusinessNZ Reports?
4. World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report. Retrieved from WEF website?

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