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

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

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

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that stall coalition talks to by-elections creating extra seats, overhangs expanding Parliament beyond 120 MPs, and outdated election-day restrictions despite most people voting early.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

This webinar launches “MMP After 30 Years: Time for Electoral Reform?”, a report by Nick Clark proposing practical updates to make New Zealand’s MMP work better. Hosted by Dr Oliver Hartwich and featuring David Farrar (foreword author; political commentator and pollster), the discussion canvasses a four-year parliamentary term, expanding Parliament to 170 MPs with stronger select committees, moving to a 50:50 electorate–list split to avoid overhangs, modestly lowering the party-vote threshold while retaining the one-seat pathway, abolishing by-elections (filling vacancies from lists), repealing waka-jumping rules, and streamlining special-vote processing with consistent campaign rules across the whole voting period — drawing on international comparisons and lessons from the 2023 election. 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