Scotland
in the
heat
Alan Fisher
New Zealanders know
where they stand.
Do we?
Douglas Wood
Photograph by the author
Who would be our competitors and how might we fare in comparison?
Would we be dependent in any way on others in seeking to achieve these things? What do we do that is world class?
The national elections in late November provided some fascinating moments. Media coverage was very similar to our own – televised leaders’ debates, a focus on alleged gaffes, prominent players caught out by rogue microphones, and so on. The issues were similar too: whether policies would grow the economy or merely grow the economies of other countries; those who wanted to build more hydro-schemes and wind farms, and those who wished to protect the environment.
Alongside the general election New Zealanders voted in a referendum on the voting system. It wasn’t a simple yes-no question. Voters were asked if they wished to keep the mixed member proportional voting system – very similar to the Holyrood arrangement – or change to another system; and if the country was to change from MMP, which one of four alternative systems they would prefer. An interesting format for designing a referendum question. However, the most impressive aspect of the whole election process was that polling was from 9am to 7pm on a Saturday, with most of the results declared by 10.30pm that evening, coalition deals sorted on Sunday and normal business resuming on Monday.
Returning to the big neighbour. One morning the television news programme had a report on a cricket test where South Africa had scuttled out Australia for the kind of total the All Blacks can comfortably muster in a game of rugby. The news presenter was clearly enjoying the moment, and turning to the sports correspondent said: ‘I don’t think we caught that last bit of the report, could you repeat the score for us?’. Some two months after the RWC final, All Blacks bunting was still to be seen on gate posts and farm buildings, by the roadside or flapping from car windows. Arguably it is New Zealand’s biggest brand of all. It would have been a national catastrophe if they had not beaten France in the final.
A short period away brings a fresh perspective to domestic issues and a realisation that our independence debate should move on to the bigger picture. The various protagonists need to talk about the industries, products and activities that would generate Scotland’s wealth, where the markets for them will be and how we would reach them. Who would be our competitors and how might we fare in comparison? Would we be dependent in any way on others in seeking to achieve these things? What do we do that is world class? Are there things we have pride in that we are renowned for?
It is evident that New Zealanders are working hard to keep existing products attractive in distant markets, and to be creative in developing new products and new markets. They are appalled by what is happening in Europe, and are looking to Asia increasingly. While we in Scotland may want to stand on our own two feet, we do need to be confident that there is a place where we can stand.
Douglas Wood is a chartered financial planner and former
academic registrar
