Wellbeing Economics: Future Directions for New Zealand

(Paperback)

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Seventy-five years after Labour's social security reforms of the 1930s, it is time for a major shift in how New Zealand regards the wellbeing of its people. Instead of measuring economic growth for its own sake, we should be assessing how well it enables New Zealanders to lead 'the kinds of lives they value and have reason to value'. Wellbeing economics is famously defined by Professor Amartya Sen as: 'the expansion of the "capabilities" of people to lead the kinds of lives they value and have reason to value'. Exploring the wellbeing economics concept of 'value-added growth', this analysis spans from personal to national growth, calling for New Zealand's transformation from the traditional 'welfare state' to a progressive 'wellbeing state'.

Author Bio

Professor Paul Dalziel and Professor Caroline Saunders are faculty at Lincoln University's Agribusiness & Economics Research Unit (AERU). Paul was a contributor in the bestselling book Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis (BWB, 2013).