With the New Zealand government announcing a renewed focus on growth, the conversation about our country’s productivity challenges has been reignited. I decided to sit down (virtually!) with ChatGPT for a 30 minute interview. Yes, AI played the role of journalist—asking me insightful questions and then writing it up into an article (See below).

We explored everything from the over-reliance on the housing market to the challenges small businesses face with investment, technology adoption, and a risk-averse culture. It’s a deep dive into the systemic and cultural factors holding us back.

Check out the interview below, and let me know your thoughts - both on using AI as the journalist and NZ’s productivity challenge.

As businesses grow, things that were once simple can start to feel difficult to manage. For example, imagine a business that starts with just a few people who all know each other well. If there is an issue you pick up the phone, communication happens naturally, and keeping track of what needs to be done is easy. But as the team expands, and more projects come into play, suddenly things don’t run quite as smoothly anymore.