What could a future economic system look like that puts people and the planet at the centre?

Everyday New Zealanders want an economy that cares, restores nature, and thinks intergenerationally, but that economy seems distant and intangible.

What’s Next is an ambitious project to outline a realistic vision of a Wellbeing Economy for Aotearoa and the policies and plan to get there.

Looking back to move forward

Our current economic system can largely be traced back to the reforms of the 1980s when neoliberalism swept the western world. With a focus on free markets, deregulation, and low taxes, economies grew faster than ever before.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, this period of history is marked by the introduction of ‘Rogernomics’, a set of policies and reforms led by Finance Minister Roger Douglas, most of which stemmed from the briefing paper he received when elected in 1984, ‘Economic Management’.

40 years later, we now know that our current economic system is not ensuring the wellbeing of all people and places as well as it could. Fresh ideas are needed to address the modern challenges we now face.

“Economic Management” - the influential briefing given to the incoming New Zealand Government in 1984.

Economic Management 2.0 for the 2026 Election

Taking a leaf from history, WEAll Aotearoa is producing a modern version of Economic Management.

What’s Next will map out a vision of a Wellbeing Economy and the specific policies to get there that’s clear, common sense and specific to Aotearoa culture, context and institutions.

We will look at:

The systemic challenges a new economic system will need to respond to
What innovative economic initiatives and policies are already out there, supporting the shift to a new system
What new ideas and policies could be implemented to support a Wellbeing Economy

What’s Next will be a collaborative project working with partner organisations, policy experts, and the public.

Ways you can contribute

The What’s Next project will be formally launched at our Economy for Public Good Conference on 28 November in Pōneke Wellington. In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you if you can support in any of the following ways:

Research

The breadth of this project is significant, we are seeking support for specific research questions depending on your expertise.

Funding

We are inviting funding partners to join us on this journey, particularly if this work aligns with the kaupapa of your organisation and you would like to shape its direction.

Get in touch