Students put minds toward solving economy woes

School students will attempt to come up with innovative solutions to blunt the recession at a university forum next month.

The pupils, from Wellington and Auckland schools, will be working on the issue that has plagued the country during the ANZ Massey Economics Challenge at the Albany campus.

Co-organiser and economics professor Anne de Bruin said the event had potential to help not only the pupils taking part, but also the national economy.

"The macroeconomics presentation is on `how can we protect the New Zealand economy from global recession', which is timely and will hopefully turn up some fresh, innovative ideas," Professor de Bruin said.

The aim was to foster a greater interest in economics in secondary schools and support those with innovative ideas, as well as to establish closer links with educational organisations, the business community and policymakers, she said.

Judges of the macroeconomics presentation are financial writer and commentator Mary Holm, the Treasury's principal tax adviser, Norman Gemmell, and College of Business Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Lawrence Rose.

- NZPA