New Zealand’s Prod Comm had the benefit of explicitly unbundling the ‘long term insights’ role of the civil service into an org that can really hone in on key issues. Civil service should be doing this, but in reality it is under provided. NZ PC did top notch reports on housing supply every other year for a decade, and they were read widely by media, politicians and public servants. The other benefit it that they lower the cost for a Minister making a bold pro growth decision (which often has losers, despite being good overall). That led to some seriously ambitious zoning reforms in Christchurch, Auckland and nationwide. Though these are being partially rolled back, in part thanks to ACT! Ultimately the new govt agrees with that Prod Comm lost its way and got distracted. It helps that there are orgs that as of recently are delivering seriously excellent independent advice (Infrastructure Commission, Commerce Commission market studies). Good post!
New Zealand’s Prod Comm had the benefit of explicitly unbundling the ‘long term insights’ role of the civil service into an org that can really hone in on key issues. Civil service should be doing this, but in reality it is under provided. NZ PC did top notch reports on housing supply every other year for a decade, and they were read widely by media, politicians and public servants. The other benefit it that they lower the cost for a Minister making a bold pro growth decision (which often has losers, despite being good overall). That led to some seriously ambitious zoning reforms in Christchurch, Auckland and nationwide. Though these are being partially rolled back, in part thanks to ACT! Ultimately the new govt agrees with that Prod Comm lost its way and got distracted. It helps that there are orgs that as of recently are delivering seriously excellent independent advice (Infrastructure Commission, Commerce Commission market studies). Good post!