Private initiatives are the way to go

A group of business leaders have teamed together to create and fund a new group called Pure Advantage. Pure Advantage is dedicated to helping New Zealand make the most out of green growth opportunities. I think this is a great example of how private initiatives respond to both opportunities and community needs.

The launch of this group is simply another reminder that the Government doesn’t have to do everything for New Zealand. We are a country populated by people both willing and able to think and act for themselves. We can cope just fine without an all-encompassing nanny state.

Pure Advantage is a group of leading New Zealanders who saw an opportunity to improve New Zealand’s environment, economic prospects, and living standards. They have seized this opportunity - I think that is commendable.

The advantage of private initiatives like Pure Advantage, vis-à-vis Government initiatives, is that participation is optional. Not all New Zealanders will agree with Pure Advantage’s aim and because it is private they can make this clear by not participating. They can vote with their feet. Compare that with Government initiatives such as the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) where participation is compulsory; the only way New Zealanders can vote with their feet on the ETS is by voting ACT this election.

A further advantage of private initiatives is that they only work if they have community buy-in. This encourages competition of ideas and competition between groups trying to meet society’s needs, making it more likely that an efficient solution will be found. Compare this with Government initiatives such as the ETS: a small group of people in Wellington get to force a futile scheme onto all New Zealanders regardless of whether it is efficient and regardless of whether those forced to participate want it.

I wish Pure Advantage all the best in their endeavours – I have just one request: please don’t be tempted to lobby the Government for more regulation.

To the Government, I say the vast majority of Kiwis are capable of looking after their own interests and organising themselves voluntarily to deal with the problems and opportunities that exist in the world. We don’t need you to do it for us.

You can find out more about Pure Advantage at www.pureadvantage.org.