2024 Nuffield Report – Beyond the farm gate: Rethinking New Zealand’s economic future

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp interviews Nuffield Scholar Carlos Bagrie about New Zealand’s economic future beyond agriculture and tourism. Carlos highlights the need for long-term planning and diversification to address the limits of mature industries. 

Drawing on global experiences, he urges building new value streams and deeper collaboration across sectors. Carlos calls for a national conversation on New Zealand’s identity and a 25- to 50-year vision, aiming to inspire bold, innovative solutions that ensure sustainable prosperity for future generations.

Guest:

• Carlos Bagrie, Nuffield Scholar

Host:

• Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide

Carlos Bagrie is a Nuffield New Zealand Scholar whose work focuses on reimagining New Zealand’s economic future beyond its traditional reliance on agriculture and tourism. In his report, Beyond the Farm Gate: Rethinking New Zealand’s Economic Future, Carlos highlights the need for long-term, strategic planning to diversify the economy as current primary industries reach maturity and face diminishing returns.

Drawing from global examples—including agribusiness in Brazil and innovation-driven economies in Europe—he advocates expanding New Zealand’s economic base by developing new industries and adding value closer to market. Carlos stresses the importance of building a more resilient economy by creating new “pillars” alongside agriculture and tourism, which have historically underpinned the country’s prosperity.

His Nuffield journey broadened his outlook beyond farming, exposing him to diverse political, cultural, and environmental contexts worldwide. A memorable experience in Zimbabwe, assisting with wildlife conservation, deepened his appreciation of how economic and ecological systems intertwine.

Carlos encourages a national conversation about New Zealand’s direction over the next 25 to 50 years, calling for bold, collaborative thinking across sectors. He sees his role as igniting discussion—from media to everyday conversations—around the country’s identity and future opportunities. Ultimately, Carlos warns that incremental improvements won’t suffice; New Zealand must embrace innovative, long-term strategies to secure prosperity for future generations.

Read Carlos’ Nuffield report here.