Eric Crampton is Chief Economist with the New Zealand Initiative.
He applies an economist’s lens to a broad range of policy areas, from devolution and housing policy to student loans and environmental policy. He served on Minister Twyford’s Urban Land Markets Research Group and on Minister Bishop’s Housing Economic Advisory Group.
Most recently, he has been looking at devolution to First Nations in Canada.
He is a regular columnist with Stuff and with Newsroom; his economic and policy commentary appears across most media outlets. He can also be found on Twitter at @ericcrampton.
Phone: +64 4 499 0790
New Zealand may never have a better chance of drawing top talent away from America. This week's changes to skilled migrant requirements will help but not as much as they should. Read more
You may be in a spot of trouble if you ever really wind up having to kill two birds with the throw of one stone. It is a tricky shot to pull off. Read more
Economist Alex Tabarrok says prices are a signal wrapped in an incentive. Prices tell us about relative scarcity and provide an incentive to conserve on scarce things. Read more
I’m a fan of classic episodes of The Simpsons. In Cape Feare, Sideshow Bob sneaks a ride under the Simpsons’ car, with murderous intent. Read more
Following the release of the Productivity Commission's report, New Models of Tertiary Education, our Head of Research Dr Eric Crampton spoke to Tim Fookes on Newstalk ZB about why we support the report and why we think tertiary education, and the student loan scheme, are in need of a shake-up.
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Dr Eric Crampton speaks to Larry Williams on Newstalk ZB about the Productivity Commission's new tertiary education report - and why we welcomed the report and their comments on our interest-free student loan scheme.
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If you want to know the real value of recreational fishing, the last place you should look is inside an economic impact assessment. People often make fun of economists for knowing the costs of everything and the value of nothing, but when it comes to economic impact assessments, it’s even worse. Read more
One decent policy rule is never to make the perfect the enemy of the good, but to always keep the perfect in mind anyway. But sometimes there really is the chance to aim for the perfect. Read more
Ali Mau on 'Drive' was joined by Dr Eric Crampton, head of research from New Zealand Initiative and Richard Wagstaff, CTU President to talk tax cuts. Are they a good idea? Read more
Is it really economic good sense for the goverment to sponsor golf tournaments? The New Zealand Initiative's Head of Research Dr Eric Crampton chats with Jim Mora on Radio New Zealand's 'The Panel'. Read more
Morning Report put together a panel of under 45s to talk about National's new policy to increase the age of entitlement for the pension from 65 to 67.
On the panel: Maori political commentator Morgan Godfrey (25), political blogger and director at Piko Consulting Stephanie Rodgers (33) and Head of Research at The New Zealand Initiative Dr Eric Crampton (41) share their thoughts on the announcement,
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What I really love about the rest of the world is that as it gets crazier, we stay the same sane. Or at least mostly so. Read more
This week brought furore over the thirteen thousand (or so) youths neither in education, employment or training. Employers complained of difficulty finding suitable candidates who can pass a drug test. Read more
There was a dirt road north of our old farm in Manitoba. Grass grew on the hump between the wheel tracks. Read more
Mayors want devolved power to deal with issues facing their communities. If that power comes with responsibility, and accountability, central government should take the request seriously. Read more