Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

There has been much reporting, and some celebration, of the 11 per cent of population growth during seven years in Tauranga, indicated by the recent release of Census figures.

Clearly, growth is linked to more people, more houses and a bigger economy. If growth is on the fringes of the city, it also means loss of productive farmland and more costly roads and pipes. If the growth is inside the city, it means more pressure on existing infrastructure; as we are currently seeing with stormwater management in Tauranga.

However, the growth is seen as 'healthy” by Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby; and its 'great news…meaning better things ahead”, according to Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

But growth also brings costs, and we should start asking: 'What is good growth?”

Here are some standard claims about growth to consider.

'Growth delivers social and economic benefits.” Unfortunately, in recent years, it has mostly delivered a redistribution of wealth (which means greater inequality), including more people living in poverty, increased unemployment, higher rates and costs of incarceration, increasing suicide rates among young people, and more – all documented in the book ‘The Spirit Level'.

'Increasing Gross Domestic Product increases our wellbeing.” This is demonstrably rubbish. The GDP is a measure of activity in the economy, which includes things both good and bad. The GDP may go up with more people, but this change is not directly linked to individual wellbeing. Although, it could become true if we focus on growing elements of the economy that allow us to live sustainably.

'Growth is good for business.” Actually, as business grows, profits tend to take priority over people. Consequences include labour (which means people), being increasingly treated as a commodity, with income put before sustainable practice. For example, who cares if a forest in Borneo is murdered when the profits are enjoyed in Auckland. Another cost is putting productivity before environmental impact. For example, poisoning land with herbicides can be justified by increased crop growth.

Focussing our economy on local productivity grows local employment, promotes sustainable use, and keeps profits in the local economy. With such an approach, wellbeing should grow – even if GDP does not.

'Market forces will protect the environment.” In reality, eeconomic growth is a key driver of massive environmental impact, such as polluted air and water, roads that divide communities and resource costs for water and waste management.

We must strive to transform the economy into something that prioritises human wellbeing, uses resources sustainably, and reduces environmental impact. The current economy prioritises wealth for a minority, assigns environmental costs to the commons; and exploits resources for profit rather than benefit. Economists love to talk about good debt and bad debt. It is time to consider the meaning of good growth and bad growth.

Clearly, growth is linked to more people, more houses and a bigger economy. If growth is on the fringes of the city, it also means loss of productive farmland and more costly roads and pipes. If the growth is inside the city, it means more pressure on existing infrastructure; as we are currently seeing with stormwater management in Tauranga.

However, the growth is seen as 'healthy” by Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby; and its 'great news…meaning better things ahead”, according to Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

But growth also brings costs, and we should start asking: 'What is good growth?”

Here are some standard claims about growth to consider.

'Growth delivers social and economic benefits.” Unfortunately, in recent years, it has mostly delivered a redistribution of wealth (which means greater inequality), including more people living in poverty, increased unemployment, higher rates and costs of incarceration, increasing suicide rates among young people, and more – all documented in the book ‘The Spirit Level'.

'Increasing Gross Domestic Product increases our wellbeing.” This is demonstrably rubbish. The GDP is a measure of activity in the economy, which includes things both good and bad. The GDP may go up with more people, but this change is not directly linked to individual wellbeing. Although, it could become true if we focus on growing elements of the economy that allow us to live sustainably.

'Growth is good for business.” Actually, as business grows, profits tend to take priority over people. Consequences include labour (which means people), being increasingly treated as a commodity, with income put before sustainable practice. For example, who cares if a forest in Borneo is murdered when the profits are enjoyed in Auckland. Another cost is putting productivity before environmental impact. For example, poisoning land with herbicides can be justified by increased crop growth.

Focussing our economy on local productivity grows local employment, promotes sustainable use, and keeps profits in the local economy. With such an approach, wellbeing should grow – even if GDP does not.

'Market forces will protect the environment.” In reality, economic growth is a key driver of massive environmental impact, such as polluted air and water, roads that divide communities and resource costs for water and waste management.

We must strive to transform the economy into something that prioritises human wellbeing, uses resources sustainably, and reduces environmental impact. The current economy prioritises wealth for a minority, assigns environmental costs to the commons; and exploits resources for profit rather than benefit. Economists love to talk about good debt and bad debt. It is time to consider the meaning of good growth and bad growth.