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Our brief

Technological change and the future of work

The Government asked the Commission to examine how New Zealand can maximise the opportunities and manage the risks of disruptive technological change and its impact on the future of work and the workforce.


Our focus

This inquiry explored the impacts of new and changing technology on the quantity and nature of work. It built on research and modelling carried out by governments, academics and other organisations in New Zealand and throughout the world. Two broad questions guided our assessment:

  1. What are the current and likely future impacts of technological change and disruption on the future of work, the workforce, labour markets, productivity and wellbeing?
  2. How can the Government better position New Zealand and New Zealanders to take advantage of innovation and technological change in terms of productivity, labour-market participation and the nature of work?

Find out more by reading our brief from the Minister of Finance.


Are workers being replaced by machines?

We analysed employment data from the last few decades to help understand what has changed and what future employment trends might be likely. 

What is happening to rates of unemployment? How is the make-up of the workforce changing? The trends affecting New Zealand's labour market provide useful insights for our inquiry.

What is the impact of technological change on the future of work?