Our NZ metals industry is the first to assess ourselves against Treasury’s Living Standards Framework

The manufacturing component of the industry alone currently provides almost 30,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and generates around $3.3 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) each year.

The non-manufacturing component (which includes diverse activities such as research, consultancy and services that support manufacturing), can’t be measured in the same way. However, it adds significantly to the economic contribution.

 

A strong contributor to the wellbeing of our nation

The BERL report shows that our industry’s contribution to wellbeing in New Zealand is considerably greater than the conventional metrics reveal. By describing and illustrating how the industry helps to develop and sustain each of the four capitals in the LSF, it demonstrates that we promote wellbeing in a much broader sense.

So – how is our metals industry helping to develop and sustain New Zealand’s wellbeing?

The report shows that our industry helps to develop and sustain New Zealand’s financial and physical capital. This is primarily through the supply of vital goods and services used in investments in transport infrastructure, construction and building. Beyond their volume or value, our industry adds to the quality of the investments by increasing the resilience of the built environment and by enhancing the performance of structures and buildings.

We help to safeguard natural capital by working to reduce raw material inputs and harmful emissions, promoting and adhering to environmental standards, and conserving air and water quality. Perhaps most conspicuously, the industry safeguards natural capital because the principal metals it produces and uses can be recycled over and over again, without degradation.

We also make a diverse contribution to human capital. Beyond providing tens of thousands of livelihoods, we contribute to the development of skills and knowledge in the workforce though the provision of traineeships and apprenticeships. As well as ongoing training and development for employees in subsequent stages of their careers.

Research and development and standards development activity takes place in all parts of the industry (i.e. in metals manufacturing and in the various supporting activities).

It’s also evident that we have effective mechanisms for sharing the outcomes of R&D and promoting adherence to existing and new Standards. These mechanisms, combined with collaboration between players in different parts of our industry, enhance the value of their outcomes.

Social capital has a range of different aspects, but doesn’t have a precise definition. However, our contribution in terms of several of the aspects can be illustrated. In particular, we’re making significant philanthropic contributions. We are also supporting our local communities in other ways, such as sports sponsorship. In addition, we promote trust within the industry, our customers and the general public, through the development and implementation of standards.

 

What does this all mean?

At HERA, we believe the LSF is an exciting new way of looking at economic contribution. It’s more encompassing of the full contribution of an industry. Going beyond simple measures like GDP and employment gives a more holistic view of the importance of our industry. However, it does present some challenges when trying to communicate these benefits.

We realise that the LSF is in the early stages of development but we also see that it offers a lot of potential and is likely to disrupt economic assessment. Seeing this disruption coming, we’re getting on board with it early. The report demonstrates we’re a valuable thread in the materiality of New Zealand life. It also shows opportunities where we can start to add more value and better communicate what we already do add!

 

What now?

We recommend all our members become familiar with the LSF as it is looking to become an instrumental part of Government policy and administration. More detail about the LST can be found in this speech from the Secretary to the Treasury, Intergenerational Wellbeing: Weaving the Living Standards Framework into public policy, delivered 13 December 2017. Further information is available in a set of discussion papers released February 2018.

We also encourage you start using the LSF terminology when communicating with your customers, stakeholders, MPs and the general public. We need to make sure that New Zealanders understand the importance of our industry and how we make a difference to their lives – both current and future.