Zach Withers | September Giving Kupe Leadership Scholar

Master of Commerce (Economics)

The challenge I see is the need to better integrate 'the human factor' into economic models. I strongly agree that most of what people value in life is often difficult to measure and as a consequence, becomes overlooked. The first example I saw of leadership in this area was the development of the NZ Treasury's Higher Living Standards Framework through the thought leadership of Dr. Girol Karacaoglu. I was inspired to see the potential of macroeconomics beyond what Pigou described as "the measuring rod of money".

Incorporating the human factor into economic models is an emerging area of research, and I believe the reality of the post-global financial crisis world has woken people up to its necessity. I know I need to develop a more sophisticated skill set to approach the problem; this is the purpose of my postgraduate studies.

Sponsor: The September Giving Trust

Mentor: Bruce Aitken, Former President and Chief Executive of Methanex, former chair at the University of British Columbia's Centre for CEO Leadership, Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Auckland Business School