Roger Gray Critiques New Zealand’s ‘No’ Culture in Auckland Speech

In a recent address at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland, Roger Gray, the CEO of Ports of Auckland, expressed concerns about New Zealand’s reputation for rejecting proposals and initiatives. Gray highlighted discussions with major cruise liners in Miami, where he learned that they often refer to New Zealand as ‘No Zealand’ due to the frequent refusals encountered when considering visits.

Gray’s observations resonate with ongoing developments in the country. For instance, proposals like Santana’s ambitious plan to extract $7 billion worth of gold near Cromwell have faced local opposition. Similarly, Eric Stanford‘s initiative to reform the education curriculum for a more internationally competitive future has encountered resistance from unions. In another instance, Chris Bishop‘s push to abolish regional councils has been met with skepticism from various stakeholders.

The continual ‘no’ responses have prompted the government to implement a fast-track approval process. This approach aims to navigate through anticipated objections, particularly those stemming from existing regulations, such as the Resource Management Act (RMA). Gray pointed out that while some of this culture of rejection is institutional, there is also a deeper societal aspect to it.

New Zealand enjoys a high quality of life, with relatively mild weather and a lack of immediate threats compared to other nations. This stability may contribute to a reluctance to embrace change or new developments. Yet, Gray believes there is a shift occurring. He acknowledged the efforts of political leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo.

The mayor of Auckland is actively working on port reforms to enhance the city’s financial prospects. In addition, Minister Chris Bishop is making significant changes to the regional council structure, while Erica Stanford is tackling educational reforms against considerable pushback.

Gray’s hope is that the current momentum leads to a more affirmative approach to development and change. As New Zealand faces challenges that require decisive action, he encourages the populace to adopt a mindset that embraces opportunities rather than defaulting to rejection.

The future may hinge on whether New Zealand can sustain this positive shift, breaking free from the habitual no response that has characterized its recent past.