This is a report about the development and delivery of economic and policy analysis in the
agriculture and agri-food sector in New Zealand and how government reform has affected this
activity.
This report was prepared to assist the federal government of Canada in its decisions regarding
the future of its current Policy Branch in its agricultural ministry, Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada (AAFC). In 1994 the Office of the Auditor General of Canada published a report
Toward Better Governance in which it examined the New Zealand experience in the reform of
its public service. In the February 1995 Budget the Federal Government in Canada indicated
that the Economic and Policy Analysis Directorate (EPAD) was a candidate for privatisation.
This report examines how managerial reform in government along with economic reform has
affected the development and delivery of economic and policy analysis in government and in
industry in New Zealand. It highlights issues relevant to Canada as Canadian governments deal
with reform and privatization of activities traditionally supplied by government