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Dr David Law

Senior Fellow

David joined The New Zealand Initiative as a Senior Fellow after spending three years in the Economics Department of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.  Between 2003 and 2016 he worked in the New Zealand public sector, undertaking economic research and analysis for the Treasury, the Commerce Commission and the Electricity Authority. 

David holds a PhD in economics from Victoria University of Wellington with a focus on policy evaluation in the areas of savings and housing.

Links to latest reports:

Research Note: Rent Controls - The next mistake in housing policy (2021)
Research Note: Educational Performance and Funding in New Zealand: Are our children getting the education they deserve? (2021)
Policy Point: Minimum wages to the maximum: The risks of lifting the minimum wage (2020) 
Policy Point: Misdirection on housing affordability unhelpful (2020)
Roadmap for Recovery: Briefing to the Incoming Government (2020)
Policy Point: Borrowing to Save: Retirement Income Policy after Covid-19 (2020)
Policy Point: For better or for worse - How governments respond to crisis (2020)
Policy Point: Relief measures: comparing Covid-19 wage subsidy schemes (2020)
Policy Point: Stay on Target (2020)
Policy Point: Short-time work to maintain employment (2020)

Scroll down to read the rest of David's work.

Phone: 04 494 9101

Email: david.law@nzinitiative.org.nz

Recent Work

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Research Note: Unemployment Insurance - A recipe for more unemployment?

When presenting Budget 2021 in May, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced that an unemployment insurance (UI) scheme was being developed for New Zealand. Prior to this, the Productivity Commission had considered UI as part of its inquiry into technological change and the future of work, as had the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Read more

Dr David Law
Research Note
11 November, 2021

Media release: Unemployment Insurance will mean more tax - NZ Initiative report

Wellington (Thursday, 11 November 2021) A new unemployment insurance scheme would be another tax on income, with little benefit, and increase unemployment, according to a new report from The New Zealand Initiative. The think tank warns that the scheme could constitute a 2 – 3% tax increase for every Kiwi worker in the medium-term. Read more

Chelsy Killick
Dr David Law
Media release
11 November, 2021
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Podcast: What will rising inflation mean for first home buyers?

Ben Craven talks to New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow Dr David Law about the implications of rising inflation, and how a different type of mortgage could make it more affordable to get on the housing ladder. If you would like to listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more

Dr David Law
Podcast
13 August, 2021
kiwisaver

The hijacking of KiwiSaver

In recent months there have been a few changes to KiwiSaver with more under consideration. But those who are inclined to tinker with the scheme should be looking at the evidence on its efficacy and thinking about whether any changes are consistent with its objective – to help those with a savings problem save more for their retirement. Read more

Dr David Law
Insights Newsletter
2 July, 2021

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