New think tank aims to spark fresh ideas

By PAM GRAHAM

A new privately funded think tank opens its doors today promising to provoke wide community debate, rather than dictate ideas to the nation.

"There is no shortage of good ideas and no one has a monopoly on them," said David Skilling, chief executive of the New Zealand Institute, which is being launched at a function at Onehunga High School this morning.

Skilling was previously a principal adviser at the Treasury. He said: "Some people think I'm left and other people think I'm on the right.

"I regard myself as pragmatic. I am interested in ideas that work."

The institute is intended to be an "ideas shop" that touches community and businesses and focuses on the big picture.

The first area of engagement is how to create an ownership society. In essence, it is an exploration of concerns people have about acquiring assets and the New Zealand asset of choice is a house.

The first of five papers sets out the issue. Policy suggestions will follow.

Skilling said 16 per cent of New Zealanders had more liabilities than assets. And more than 800,000 had less than $20,000 in wealth.

The suggestion is that if individuals get wealthier so will the nation. The research also addresses the sense that "getting ahead" was easier 30 to 40 years ago.

It costs $35,000 to join the institute and the initial members are mostly corporates. The roll call of the founding board has familiar names from the Knowledge Wave initiative but also taps into community groups.

Its members include McKinsey director Andrew Grant, Westpac New Zealand chief executive Ann Sherry, Auckland businessman Chris Mace, Onehunga High School principal Chris Saunders, Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson, Oxford University Vice-Chancellor John Hood, St Cuthbert's College principal Lynda Reid, managing director of Clemenger BBDO Peter Biggs, Deutsche Bank managing director Scott Perkins, Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall and Ngai Tahu chief executive Tahu Potiki.

Skilling said he had briefed the Business Roundtable on the institute's plans.

"We certainly don't see ourselves in head-to-head competition with the Roundtable," he said.

"We think we are offering something that is a little bit different, a little bit new."

A second major work programme due to kick off early next year will explore issues associated with New Zealand's place in the world.