Creating an Ownership Society
The New Zealand Institute is a privately funded think-tank that is committed to generating new and creative debate, ideas, and solutions that contribute to building a better and more prosperous New Zealand for all New Zealanders.
Excerpts are taken from two Ownership Society Discussion Papers:
1. The wealth of a nation: The level & distribution of wealth in New Zealand; July 2004
This paper describes the current level and distribution of wealth in New Zealand, compares this situation to several other countries, and considers several emerging pressures that may make it more difficult for New Zealanders – particularly young New Zealanders – to accumulate wealth over their lifetimes.
2. It's not just about the money: The benefits of asset ownership; October 2004
This paper outlines the powerful impact that asset ownership has on improving financial and life outcomes for individuals and also on the contribution that broadly distributed ownership has on social cohesion at a national level.
Full reports may be sourced from http://www.nzinstitute.org/index.php/ownershipsociety/papers/
FOREWORD: CREATING AN OWNERSHIP SOCIETY
Asset ownership is increasingly important for meaningful participation in society and the economy. Ownership enhances the ability of people to access opportunities and to invest in the future – by buying a house, financing education, and so on – and allows people to cope with shocks. Assets provide greater security, control, and independence. A broad distribution of ownership also generates enhanced social cohesion at a national level, and ensures that more New Zealanders obtain the benefits of economic growth. So helping all New Zealanders acquire assets will make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economic and social future.
However, many New Zealanders do not have any real wealth holdings. And many New Zealanders – particularly young New Zealanders – are finding it increasingly difficult to advance financially and build an ownership stake; rising house prices and declining home ownership rates, student loan debt, and an emerging debt culture, all make wealth accumulation harder.
Our focus is on identifying ways in which New Zealanders can be assisted to acquire assets over their lifetime.
1. The wealth of a nation: The level & distribution of wealth in New Zealand
2. It's not just about the money: The benefits of asset ownership; October 2004
The New Zealand Institute is a privately funded think-tank that aims to introduce new and creative thinking into the economic and social policy debate in New Zealand. We are committed to the generation of debate, ideas, and solutions that creatively address New Zealand's economic and social priorities - in order to build a better and more prosperous New Zealand for all New Zealanders.
The Institute’s members come from a variety of backgrounds in business, education, and community service, and have a wide range of views on issues. But we are all committed to contributing to building a better and more prosperous New Zealand.
The Institute’s work is non-partisan, is based on evidence and analysis, and draws on the best ideas and practice from around the world as well as New Zealand.
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