Overview

The Workplace Productivity Working Group (WPWG) was established in February 2004 to undertake a stock take of how New Zealand is doing in terms of workplace productivity, and to identify practical options for how workplace productivity can be improved.

The WPWG released the Workplace Productivity Challenge report in August 2004, which identified that industry, firms, unions and Government needed to work together to improve workplace productivity.

Workplace Productivity Reference Group

The Workplace Productivity Reference Group (Reference Group) was established in 2005 following publication of a Government report which identified a number of ways industry, firms, unions and government could help workplaces lift their productivity.

The Reference Group is made up of people who have influence in New Zealand industry, including businesspeople, unions and business organisations.

The Department of Labour help oversee and implement Reference Group recommendations. In addition, officials from Treasury, Ministry of Economic Development, and NZ Trade and Enterprise also help implement parts of the Workplace Productivity Agenda.

As the members of the Reference Group are from a wide range of backgrounds, they bring to the table a variety of practical perspectives about how New Zealand businesses can go about raising their workplace productivity.

WP Reference Group Members 2008

• Andrew Hunt – Kinetics Group
• Richard Wagstaff – PSA
• Brice Landman – Carter Holt Harvey, Pulp and Paper
• Charles Finny – Wellington Chamber of Commerce
• Mike Sweeney – EPMU
• Deborah Hart – Small Business Advisory Group
• Peter Conway – NZCTU
• Phil O'Reilly – Business NZ
• Carol Beaumont – NZCTU
• Laila Harre – National Distribution Union
• Peter Townsend – Canterbury Employers Chambers of Commerce
• Tim Ritchie – Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (Inc.)
• Jim Doyle – Growth and Innovation Advisory Board
• Mark Steel – Ministry of Economic Development
• Jeremy Corban – The Treasury
• Peter Brown – State Services Commission
• Christopher Blake – Department of Labour
• Craig Armitage – Department of Labour