Raising NZ’s Metabolic Rate With Knowledge Wave

“New Zealand’s metabolic rate is just not where it should be - If we want to be in the top half of the OECD then we need to lift our game,” said Knowledge Wave Conference Project Committee representative Andrew Grant, at a press conference this afternoon to announce the keynote speakers for the conference.

Andrew Grant

30 international speakers including Edward De Bono, Lord Robert Winston (presenter of the BBC’s The Human Body) and Nobel Prize winning Taiwanese chemist Dr Yuan T Lee, will work with the 450 New Zealand participants, lending their expertise to help New Zealand create a knowledge society.

Mr Grant, who represents McKinsey & Company on the conference committee, said Knowledge Wave is about arming people with the tools to make their dreams a practical reality and growing a richness for business in New Zealand.

Mr Grant said he would like to see everyone taking part in the Joint Government/University of Auckland conference lift their sights, whether they have financial or social objectives.

“If your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough,” he said.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the conference is about creating more knowledge driven industries and a knowledge society that will be inclusive of all, and said it wouldn’t just be the “same old crowd” taking part in Knowledge Wave.

Delegates from business, Government, the opposition, Maori, media and student representatives will attend.

Pete Hodgson, Andrew Grant, Helen Clark

“Something like this keeps the focus on creating a good life here in New Zealand,” said Miss Clark.

Auckland University Vice-Chancellor Dr John Hood said Knowledge Wave will be practical, participatory and results oriented.

Dr John Hood speaks

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