The New Zealand Institute has given us a wake-up call on the country’s performance. Our score is D for dismal.

Innovation and business sophistication are the most important drivers of income and NZ is “below par”. The Herald picked up on this last month, reporting that “NZ languishes near the relegation end of the OECD league table for Innovation”.

So it’s time we turn the tide.

Having said that, there are some very notable exception – some individuals that have made a huge difference in New Zealand and around the world. We’ve rounded some up – come and listen, and more importantly ENGAGE, at the NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference – these are serious people with solid experience in converting inventions from ideas to international business success – Sam Morgan, Craig Nevill-Manning, Ian Taylor, Rod Drury, Ian McCrae, Sam Knowles, Nat Torkington.

But more than this, ask yourself “What can I do to help turn the tide?”. Our country’s relying on it.