Cameron Bagrie
Our guest speaker this week was Cameron Bagrie, well-known guru on economic affairs, and a trustee of Life Education.
The main thrust of his forthright talk was that we should expect relentless change and disruption across the economy and society. Netflix, AirBnB, and E-scooters were unknown just a few years ago and now they are fixed in the public consciousness. These are technology-driven disruptors.
Demographic trends are driving new behaviours, too. The 64+ age group is growing fast, and the attitudes of younger workers are different. Who will take over the small firms when their owners want to retire?
To succeed in an era of disruption and rapid change our businesses need to adapt, so we need to encourage risk-takers and be more accepting of failure. Complacency is in itself a high-risk attitude. Sectors which in the past have relied on capital gains, such as farming (and especially dairying), will have to innovate more energetically.
There is an unhealthy focus on short-term results and returns to shareholders rather than the needs of customers over the long term. This needs to change. A quick win usually leads to long-term loss.
Cameron considers housing affordability, child poverty and mental illness as national disgraces, and while the ‘wellbeing’ budget shows good aspiration, so far the execution has been poor. Government debt at 20% of GDP is very low and since the government can borrow at low interest rates, it should do so. But then there are resource constraints, especially skilled labour, so projects can be poor value for money.
To future-proof our quality of life, we should invest more in our children, and pay our teachers more. Children need to be financially literate, a mission which Life Education is embracing.
Cameron’s take on economics was wide-ranging, stimulating, disturbing at times, but far from dismal.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.4% Yes
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8.3% No
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0.3% Other - I'll share below!
Volunteers needed in Taita
Do you have trade skills? Or are you a person who is keen to help and learn? Work on the The Christ Church Taita Visitor Centre is well underway. This is a major historical taonga which was built over 160 years ago. It is a landmark in the history of European settlement in NZ and is the oldest church in Wellington.
Volunteers are now needed to assist in the fit out of the building’s interior. Are you keen to get involved in this exciting and significant project? ⬇️
Builders Labourer
This role is for anyone who would enjoy working on a building site interior and who is willing to learn new skills. Young people are especially welcome! Work may involve handling materials like Gib Board, plaster and insulation, some outdoor labour like digging trenches and laying paving. This work will be supervised by an experienced and qualified person.
Semi-skilled Tradesperson
This role is for anyone with previous building experience to assist in the fit out.
See our website for more info and to register your interest for these exciting roles:
tinyurl.com...
What's On: WAIKANAE BEACH MOTHERS DAY MARKET
WAIKANAE BEACH MOTHERS DAY MARKET
- Waikanae Beach Community Hall
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