New Zealand agricultural policy change: some effects

The New Zealand agricultural sector has over most of its history been seen as the backbone of the New Zealand economy and has also been the subject of a varying range of influences caused by the implementation of various government policies. This discussion paper reviews some of the progress of the agricultural sector and its reaction to the government policies which have affected it. In particular, the effects of changes in the last decade with respect to the place of agriculture within the total New Zealand economy have been examined. It is important that analysts, policy makers, and people both within and outside the agricultural sector have an appreciation of the role of the sector, the fluctuations in the state of the sector caused by market forces and government policies and a view of the future for the sector. This discussion paper provides some analysis and views on these matters and it is hoped that the material presented will assist in providing a perspective for future development