Nick is a Senior Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative, focusing on local government, resource management, and economic policy.
Nick brings 30 years of policy and advocacy experience both inside and outside government. He joins us after 19 years at Federated Farmers, as the National Policy Manager. Nick managed a team of policy advisors, and led work on economic policy, including fiscal, tax, monetary, banking, competition, and overseas investment policies.
He also worked extensively on local government policy issues and has been the administrator of the Local Government Business Forum, a grouping of national business organisations interested in local government policy issues.
INTRODUCTION 1.1 The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the opportunity to submit on the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill. 1.2 The Initiative is a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. Read more
Nick Clark spoke with Paul Brennan on Reality Check Radio about the government's proposed replacement of the Resource Management Act. Clark welcomed the new approach's stronger property rights, fewer consents, and standardised zones. Read more
For over three decades, the Resource Management Act has been a significant hindrance to New Zealand's economic growth. It promised sustainable management but delivered housing crises, infrastructure delays, stifled productivity and environmental decline. Read more
In this episode, Oliver, Nick and Bryce talk about the Fast Track Approvals Amendment Bill, focusing on the use of Henry VIII clauses that allow ministers to amend legislation without full parliamentary scrutiny. The discussion examines why these powers have typically been used only in genuine emergencies, how their application in planning reform raises constitutional questions, and why the Initiative recommends clearer limits and stronger sunset provisions to protect democratic processes. Read more
In this episode, Eric, Nick and Benno talk about the Government's proposal to abolish regional councillors while retaining regional councils, shifting governance to new Combined Territories Boards made up of local mayors. They explore how this reform creates space for mayors to rethink regional governance through a function-by-function approach, potentially establishing purpose-built agencies for issues like water catchments and transport that cross council boundaries. Read more
On Monday morning, Eric Crampton and I appeared before the Environment Select Committee to present the Initiative’s submission on the Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill. It is well known that the Bill, and the fast-track regime more generally, is controversial among environmentalists. Read more
Nick Clark talked to Paul Brennan on Reality Check Radio about his report on New Zealand's electoral system and why it needs reform. Clark argued for moving to four-year terms, increasing MP numbers to strengthen select committees, lowering the 5% party threshold, scrapping costly low-turnout by-elections, tightening advance voting rules, and improving civics education so voters better understand how democracy works. Read more
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill (FTAAB). Read more
This week, we released our latest report, MMP after 30 years: Time for Electoral Reform? Amidst a long list of recommendations to improve our electoral system, one sparked a particularly strong reaction – that Parliament be increased from 120 members to 170. Read more
Nick Clark talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about the Initiative's report recommedning Parliament to 170 MPs and introduce four-year terms. He explained that New Zealand's parliament is undersized compared to similar countries and that more MPs would prevent overhang seat issues while improving geographic representation and parliamentary scrutiny. Watch below. Read more
The 2023 election highlighted flaws in New Zealand's electoral system that create uncertainty for business and undermine democratic accountability. My research report MMP after 30 years: Time for electoral reform? Read more
In this episode, Oliver Hartwich talks to Nick Clark about his new report reviewing New Zealand’s MMP electoral system after 30 years. They examine quirks that have emerged over recent elections — from delayed results that stall coalition talks to by-elections creating extra seats, overhangs expanding Parliament beyond 120 MPs, and outdated election-day restrictions despite most people voting early. Read more
Nick Clark talked to Wallace Chapman on RNZ's The Panel about The New Zealand Initiative's report examining MMP's performance, which recommends increasing Parliament to 170 MPs and introducing a four-year parliamentary term. He explained that New Zealand's parliament is small by international standards and argued that larger electorates and overstretched select committees justify the expansion, whilst also advocating for rationalising the current 81 ministerial portfolios. Read more
Nick Clark talked to Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB about a New Zealand Initiative report proposing to expand Parliament to 170 MPs and introduce four-year terms, arguing that New Zealand's Parliament is 30% smaller than comparable countries and MPs are stretched too thin across select committees and large electorates. Clark also advocated for reducing Cabinet from 20 to 15 ministers, referencing the Initiative's earlier "Unscrambling Government" report which criticised New Zealand's bloated executive structure with approximately 80 portfolios. Read more
Wellington (Wednesday, 29 October 2025) - New Zealand's three-year parliamentary term is too short for effective government and the country needs more MPs to keep politicians accessible to voters, according to new research examining 30 years of MMP in New Zealand. “MMP has delivered fairer and more representative parliaments, but it’s time for an upgrade,” says Nick Clark, Senior Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative and author of the report. Read more