‘If we rank our regions internationally, Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury are comparable to France, Finland and Saudi Arabia respectively. But the smaller regions look like Timor-Leste (Northland), Greece (Manawatu-Whanganui and Gisborne) or other emerging economies such as Cyprus and the Seychelles.’

The gaps between New Zealand’s regions are increasing. Many local economies are stagnating, some are faced with grave decline and just a select few are advancing. Deep-seated economic forces are driving these tectonic-like shifts. High-profile economist Shamubeel Eaqub uncovers these forces and what they mean for the changing economic fortunes of our regions, and the future of New Zealand.