Final Eric Crampton

Dr Eric Crampton

Chief Economist

Eric is the Chief Economist at The New Zealand Initiative. With the Initiative, he has worked in policy areas ranging from freshwater management to policy for earthquake preparedness, and from local government to technology policy. He has recently focused on policy related to Covid-19 response. He served as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Department of Economics & Finance at the University of Canterbury from 2003 through 2014.

Eric’s columns and commentary appear regularly in New Zealand’s major media outlets, as well as on his blog, Offsetting Behaviour. He can also be found on Twitter at @ericcrampton.

Phone: +64 4 499 0790

Email: eric.crampton@nzinitiative.org.nz

Recent Work

submission banking competition cover

Submission: Inquiry on Banking Competition

1.1 This submission in response to the Finance and Expenditure Committee (FEC) Inquiry into Banking Competition (the Inquiry)1 is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. In combination, our members employ more than 150,000 people. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton
Dr Bryce Wilkinson
Roger Partridge
Submission
25 September, 2024
Submssion 2024 09 20

Submission: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2)

1.1 This submission on the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is made by The New Zealand Initiative, a think tank supported primarily by chief executives of major New Zealand businesses. The Initiative undertakes research to contribute to the development of sound public policies in New Zealand to help create a competitive, open and dynamic economy and a free, prosperous, fair, and cohesive society. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton
Submission
18 September, 2024

Podcast: Rethinking the Government's role in competition

In this episode, Eric and Ben Hamlin, Barrister at Clifton Chambers, explore how government policies and regulations can unintentionally stifle competition in New Zealand, affecting everything from healthcare to supermarkets. They discuss the challenges posed by current laws, particularly the 'Crown exception' in competition law, and propose reforms aimed at creating a more competitive economy, including regular reviews of competition restrictions and greater justification for government-imposed market limitations. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton
Ben Hamlin
13 September, 2024
Health Innovators Summit screenshot

Health Innovators' Summit 2024: Keynote Sessions

On August 15, we hosted our second The Health Innovators’ Summit. This was a day event that brought together politicians, members of The New Zealand Initiative, professional health associations, and senior journalists to learn about innovative solutions for better healthcare in New Zealand. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Eric Crampton
Prof Lester Levy, Hon Matt Doocey, Rob Hennin, Dr Frances Hughes, Dr Rachel Brown, Tom Irvine, Maria English, Rachel Smalley, Cecilia Robinson and Dr Haemish Crawford.
Event video
12 September, 2024

Podcast: Eastern German state elections reshape political landscape

In this episode, Oliver, Michael and Eric discuss the recent elections in two eastern German states, Thuringia and Saxony, where far-right and populist parties like the AfD and BSW gained significant ground, while traditional mainstream parties performed poorly. They explore the reasons behind this political shift, including frustrations with immigration policies, economic challenges, and nostalgia for the former East Germany, while also examining the broader implications for German politics and drawing lessons for other democracies about the dangers of ignoring citizens' legitimate concerns. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Eric Crampton
Dr Michael Johnston
6 September, 2024
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Submission: Consultation Paper Retail Payment System

1.1 This submission in response to the Commerce Commission’s Consultation Paper Retail Payment System: Costs to businesses and consumers of card payments in Aotearoa New Zealand1 is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. In combination, our members employ more than 150,000 people. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton
Submission
2 September, 2024

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