This article is an appeal to the media. Speaking to the Journalism Education Association in Wellington recently, prime minister Helen Clark said she wished the New Zealand media were better informed about, among other things, economics. This seems to be a case of not knowing how lucky she is. New Zealand’s rate of productivity growth has slumped on her watch.

Economic management matters to all New Zealanders because the quality of economic institutions and polices fundamentally determines how productive the economy can be.

In a healthy democracy we need penetrating media analysis of economic issues to help citizens assess the economic competence of incumbent governments and parties competing for office.