Navigating the fiscal hole

As the debate around New Zealand’s public finances intensifies, with talks of fiscal holes and prudent debt levels, it is time for a frank discussion about the country’s long-term fiscal sustainability. In his exit interview on TVNZ’s Q+A programme, former Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s suggested that New Zealand can and should sustain higher government debt levels than the current 30% of GDP target. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Insights Newsletter
22 March, 2024

A remedy to division

We live in divided times. Where once there was disagreement over solutions, today there is disagreement over facts. Read more

Insights Newsletter
22 March, 2024

Podcast: New Zealand's fairy godmother

New Zealanders have been spending a lot more overseas than we have been earning overseas, yet our balance does not move in the same direction nearly as much. Oliver talks to Bryce about his latest research note "The mystery of the $52 billion gift: Does New Zealand have a fairy godmother?". Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Bryce Wilkinson
19 March, 2024

Balancing progress and prudence

The Coalition Government has introduced the Fast-Track Approvals Bill as part of its broader efforts to reform the Resource Management Act (RMA). The Bill aims to speed up decision-making for infrastructure and development projects with potential for substantial regional and national economic benefits. Read more

Insights Newsletter
15 March, 2024
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Media Release: The Mystery of the $52 Billion Gift: Does New Zealand have a fairy godmother?

Wellington (Thursday, 14 March 2024) - A new research note by The New Zealand Initiative is questioning how New Zealand has managed to sustain its large and growing current account deficits with the rest of the world without seeing a corresponding deterioration in its net international investment position (NIIP). The research note, “The Mystery of the $52 Billion Gift: Does New Zealand have a fairy godmother?” highlights that while New Zealand has been spending more overseas than it earns, the country’s liabilities to the rest of the world have not increased nearly as much as one would expect. Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson
14 March, 2024

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