Matt Burgess is a Senior Economist at The New Zealand Initiative. He was Senior Economic Advisor to the Minister of Finance, Chief Executive of iPredict, and a Senior Associate at consultants Charles River Associates.
He has a Master of Commerce in economics with first class honours from the University of Canterbury and a Bachelor of Commerce in economics and mathematics.
Latest reports:
The Emissions Trading Scheme FAQ (2021)
Submission: Draft emissions budget (2021)
Real action, not empty words: How to make the Zero Carbon Bill about cutting emissions (2019)
Research Note: When the facts change - How the ICCC saved New Zealand from a policy disaster (2019)
Switched on! Achieving a green, affordable and reliable energy future (2019)
Scroll down to read the rest of Matt's work
Phone: +64 4 499 0790
Celebrations this week for Delta Airlines, Delta Electronics, Delta-Fly Pharma Inc and Delta Goodrem as – finally – a new variant of COVID sweeps the world. But spare a thought for the staff at Omicron Inversiones, an investment company in Spain. Read more
Matt Burgess talks to Ben Craven about his latest NZ Herald column and submission on the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan. Matt explains why most government policy interventions in the name of climate change cannot reduce emissions as they are already under New Zealand’s emissions cap. Read more
Call climate change a catastrophe. Worry about rising seas if you want. Read more
Our submission is the Emissions Reduction Plan cannot reduce emissionsunder a binding ETS. The government should have written this paper years ago. Read more
The news that our public service is ranked second in the world, according to a UK survey, was overshadowed by two events last week which cast it in a less positive light. New Zealand’s public service placed second in the International Civil Service Effectiveness (InCiSE) Index from Oxford University. Read more
This week, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta recorded a lengthy podcast with the Taxpayers’ Union. If you missed it, or do not want to spend 32 minutes unpicking platitudes, here is a summary: Taxpayers’ Union: How does taking water assets off councils save money? Read more
Matt Burgess joins Oliver Hartwich to discuss his latest research note, Climate of fear: How the Reserve Bank is overstepping its mandate. Matt’s research documents serious breaches of the RBNZ's responsibilities as regulator of the financial system, including one instance of misconduct. Read more
On 26 October 2021, the Reserve Bank released Climate Changed 2021 And Beyond. The report, timed to coincide with the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, showcases the Reserve Bank’s efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and new climate change disclosure rules for banks. Read more
Wellington (Tuesday, 9 November 2021) The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has no legal or democratic mandate for climate change, says a new report from think tank The New Zealand Initiative. Climate of fear: How the Reserve Bank is overstepping its mandate documents serious breaches of the RBNZ's responsibilities as regulator of the financial system, including one instance of misconduct. Read more
This week’s Financial Stability Report continues the Reserve Bank’s fascination with climate change. It says rising seas and changing weather patterns will lead to financial losses. Read more
The government’s Three Waters reform aims to make sure Kiwis have access to safe drinking water, and to close an investment gap worth $185 billion. Another crucial matter for the reform, which has received little attention so far, is housing affordability. Read more
The Government has announced they will confiscate councils’ three water assets, despite widespread opposition from mayors, councillors, and ratepayers. Ben Craven sits down with Oliver Hartwich, Matt Burgess and Eric Crampton to discuss what the proposals will mean for councils; the winners and losers; and why centralised control of water assets is not the answer to local water issues. Read more
Constitutional progress usually start with a bad government. Back in the 13th century, King John lost wars and paid for them by taking his subjects’ property. Read more
Last week, the government unveiled the first draft of its plan for how this country will lower emissions over the coming decades. The Emissions Reduction Plan lacks specifics but signals intent. Read more
Each year, the government gives away millions of emissions units to trade-exposed businesses under its Industrial Allocations (“IAs”) policy. The policy is narrow but deep. Read more