New Zealand hopes to shake off economic gloom by attracting overseas investment to build much-needed infrastructure through a new government entity.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon on Thursday announced the formation of Invest New Zealand while focusing on growth during his state of the nation address in Auckland, using the speech to reset his government's agenda after a horrid finish to 2024.
The government ended the year with shocking GDP results, a bungled plan to replace Cook Strait ferries and historic protests against plans to reform New Zealand's constitutional relationship with Maori.
This year, Mr Luxon said, would be all about growth.
"Going for growth is without a doubt priority number one," he said.
"Right now it is a tough time for many Kiwis. We've experienced the biggest recession since the early 1990s.
"Growth is the solution we must embrace it."
A former Unilever and Air New Zealand executive before entering politics, Mr Luxon has made his country's "economic turnaround job" a central part of his leadership.
On Thursday, he revealed a plan based on similar models in Ireland and Singapore that would create a one-stop shop for would-be investors.
The government will streamline processes for investment in "banking and fintec, critical infrastructure, including roading and energy projects, manufacturing and private sector growth".
"Invest New Zealand will roll out the welcome mat, streamlining the investment process and providing tailored support to foreign investors," Mr Luxon said.
The government has also announced reforms of the government science sector, merging seven bodies into four with "a sharp focus on commercialisation".
One new body will be "an advanced technology institute" including work on AI, quantum computing and synthetic biology.
Mr Luxon said he was preoccupied by economic gains.
"I am obsessed with doing everything it takes to unleash the growth, innovation, and investment we need to thrive - because Kiwis deserve nothing less," he said.
New Zealand's economy contracted by 2.1 per cent between April and September, the starkest fall outside of the initial COVID-19 shock for decades.
As he champions growth, Mr Luxon is turning his back on the nation-defining debate that drew tens of thousands of Kiwis to the streets in 2024 - the Treaty Principles Bill.
The bill is a proposal by the ACT party, the right-wing coalition partners of Mr Luxon's National party, which would redefine how the Treaty of Waitangi is legally interpreted.
The debate has reached fever pitch, with more than 300,000 Kiwis - or nine per cent of the voting public - making a formal submission to parliament.
Issues of the place of Maori in modern New Zealand society are regularly aired this time of year in the lead-up to Waitangi Day on February 6, which honours the signing of the nation-forming treaty in 1840.
However, in a first for several years, Mr Luxon has opted against going to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the build-up to the national day, arguing he wanted to spend it elsewhere.
His norm-breaking decision has been derided by some Maori groups and the opposition, which said he was "running away" from the debate.
"Waitangi Day is an incredibly special time of year, and being able to go up and celebrate where the treaty was first signed is a privilege," Labour leader Chris Hipkins said.
"This decision by Christopher Luxon shows that he is not willing to stand on his own track record ... he knows his decisions have made life more difficult for Maori in New Zealand."
