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Prescription for Prosperity 2026: Briefing to the Incoming Government

Current Topics

Submission: Modern Slavery Bill

Prescription for Prosperity 2026: Briefing to the Incoming Government

This is The New Zealand Initiative’s 2026 Prescription for Prosperity. Since 2017, the Initiative has prepared a briefing for the incoming government. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Dr Eric Crampton

Nick Clark

Dr Michael Johnston

Roger Partridge

Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM

Dr Benno Blaschke

Research Report

27 May, 2026

Submission: Modern Slavery Bill

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative) welcomes the opportunity to submit on the Modern Slavery Bill. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Submission

27 May, 2026

Open markets are still the best way to a fair economy

The strongest protection tenants can have is plenty of other potential places to rent, from different landlords eager to rent them a home. When zoning rules make it very difficult to build new housing, existing landlords do not face much potential competition. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

The Post

26 May, 2026

Send my regards to NZ’s regulators as they struggle to keep up

Last year, Cabinet papers promised that New Zealand’s agricultural-product regulator would be required to use assessments from trusted overseas regulators. The bills now before Parliament instead say the regulator must merely “have regard to” them. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

Newsroom

26 May, 2026

Browse more Insights

GDP Quarterly Change:	1.07%
GDP Annual Change:	1.39%
Inflation:	3.12%
Optimal OCR:	2.36%
Optimal OCR Gap:	0.11%
Forecasted OCR Change:	0.25%

GDP Quarterly Change:

1.07%

GDP Annual Change:

1.39%

Inflation:

3.12%

Optimal OCR:

2.36%

Optimal OCR Gap:

0.11%

Forecasted OCR Change:

0.25%

Prescription for Prosperity 2026: Briefing to the Incoming Government

Current Topics

Submission: Modern Slavery Bill

Beyond Targets: How to plan when predictions no longer set the rules

The Martian Audit

Submission: Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill

Working Knowledge: Designing industry-led subjects for students and schools

Submission: Commerce (Commerce Commission Reform) Amendment Bill

God Defend New Zealand

Who runs the country? Restoring democratic control of New Zealand's public service

RMA Reform: Getting the new system right

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Meet the team

Prescription for Prosperity 2026: Briefing to the Incoming Government

Submission: Modern Slavery Bill

Open markets are still the best way to a fair economy

Send my regards to NZ’s regulators as they struggle to keep up

Live economic data

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Upcoming Events

Meet the team

Prescription for Prosperity 2026: Briefing to the Incoming Government

Submission: Modern Slavery Bill

Open markets are still the best way to a fair economy

Send my regards to NZ’s regulators as they struggle to keep up

Live economic data

Media release: Think tank sets out 235-point policy agenda for a more prosperous New Zealand

Podcast: Beyond Targets: Helping communities get the economics of their plans right

RNZ Afternoons: Dr Benno Blaschke on why housing targets miss the point

Newstalk ZB: Dr Benno Blaschke on why housing targets fail without fixing planning rules

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