Christoph Schumacher: Massey University Professor of Innovation and Economics on the summer holiday period and productivity

The debate over out long summer break is heating up. 

An op-ed from businessman Toss Grimley claims New Zealand’s extended shutdown hurts productivity, a stance backed up by Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges. 

Bridges says there’s a real perception the country “shuts down until March”, and that we’re seen more as “lifestylers” than serious businesspeople.  

Massey University Professor of Innovation and Economics, Christoph Schumacher told Heather du Plessis-Allan that while our summer break is long compared to the rest of the world, the question shouldn’t be if it’s too long, but rather if we can afford it. 

He says people do deserve breaks, but it needs to be structured a smarter way to keep productivity high.  

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