The Productivity Commission asked Taylor Fry to provide a report scoping the feasibility of a data-based model of skill and occupational shortages in New Zealand.

This report explores the broader literature available on the subject before considering the data already available in New Zealand to build a model. It discusses Taylor Fry's views on the extent to which a model could be dis-aggregated by occupational level and/or geographical unit, before discussing some practical elements of model development and design. Finally, it draws conclusions on the feasibility of building a model in New Zealand.

This report was an input into the Commission's inquiry into immigration settings for New Zealand's long-term prosperity.