The New Zealand experiment

by Jane Kelsey

"New Zealand was once famed as the first country to give women the vote, a the birthplace of the welfare state, and (more recently) as "clean, green and nuclear free". Today it is gaining worldwide recognition (or notoriety) for what has become known as "the New Zealand experiment". The application of pure neo-liberal economic theory in this country since 1984 has been proclaimed an international success story, and is now being sold by the guardians of the global economy as a model for the rest of the world. Jane Kelsey challenges the basis for these claims. She finds that for these international commentators "success" means the entrenchment of the structural adjustment programme, irrespective of its economic and social outcomes. "The New Zealand experiment" raises important questions for New Zealanders about the effects of the new economic regime on our lives, our community, our government and our country." -- Back cover.