New Zealand can learn from Dutch pragmatism, competence and cooperation.

Go Dutch: Learnings from The New Zealand Initiative's visit to the Netherlands follows the Initiative’s 2025 study tour of 42 business and civic leaders. It shows how the Netherlands has turned its small size into strength through practical thinking and steady delivery.

The Initiative's Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich said the Dutch succeed because they are open, direct and focused on solving problems.

“They talk honestly about what works and what does not. They fix issues rather than argue about them. They trust their institutions because those institutions deliver.”

One example is how the Dutch reduce red tape. Their independent Advisory Board on Regulatory Burden reviews new rules before they are introduced and measures their cost to people and businesses. This keeps regulation simple, effective and free from politics.

“The Dutch made rule-making a practical skill,” Dr Hartwich said. “They count the costs before they decide. We often do it the other way around.”

The delegation also saw how public and private sectors work together in innovation clusters such as The Hague Security Delta, where more than 300 companies, universities and government agencies collaborate on cybersecurity, data and resilience. These partnerships show how cooperation and trust can turn shared goals into real progress.

“It was striking how much trust there is,” Dr Hartwich said. “They do not wait for orders from the centre. They cooperate and get on with it.”

The report argues that small nations like New Zealand can thrive when they build cultures of trust and competence.

“Culture, competence and cooperation – that is the Dutch formula,” Dr Hartwich said. “If we want better outcomes, we must build institutions and habits that deliver.”

Dr Oliver Hartwich discusses the Initiative's delegation to the Netherlands with Adelle Keely, Chief Executive of Acumen, on our podcast. Listen below.