Final Oliver Hartwich

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Executive Director

Oliver is the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative. Before joining the Initiative, he was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, the Chief Economist at Policy Exchange in London, and an advisor in the UK House of Lords. Oliver holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business administration and a PhD in Law from Bochum University in Germany.

Oliver is available to comment on all of the Initiative’s research areas.

Phone: +64 4 499 0790

Email: oliver.hartwich@nzinitiative.org.nz

Recent Work

Oliver v10

The Platform: Dr Oliver Hartwich on the OCR Reduction

Dr Oliver Hartwich appeared on The Platform to talk to Sean Plunket about the recent cut to New Zealand's Official Cash Rate (OCR) by the Reserve Bank. Oliver explains that while the decision was economically justified given the country's economic struggles, he criticises the Reserve Bank's communication, arguing they should have been more transparent about changing their previous stance. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Sean Plunket
The Platform
19 August, 2024
2024 08 09 revenue sharing Website

Podcast: Boosting housing development through revenue sharing

In this episode, Nick discusses his latest research note on revenue sharing between central and local government. The main idea is to provide financial incentives for local councils to be more supportive of housing development, potentially addressing New Zealand's housing crisis by aligning the interests of central and local governments. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
9 August, 2024
2024 08 06 newsroom website

Dictators conspire: Oil, assassins, exploitation

Last week’s prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus and several Western nations offered a stark glimpse into the workings of modern autocracies. As such, it serves as a timely backdrop to Anne Applebaum’s new book, Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World, which examines the collaborative efforts of authoritarian regimes to undermine liberal democracy globally. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Newsroom
6 August, 2024
2024 08 01 education michael response website

Podcast: Debunking education myths: A response to Prof Peter O'Connor's critique of curriculum reforms

This episode features Michael, with Oliver, responding to and critiquing statements made by Prof Peter O'Connor on RNZ about education policy. Michael systematically disagrees with O'Connor's views on the government's proposed education reforms, arguing that O'Connor misrepresents the reforms and presents false dichotomies between knowledge acquisition and creativity in education To listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Michael Johnston
2 August, 2024
2024 07 25 Newsroom website v2

Europe is now on its own

In the wake of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, all eyes were on the Republican National Convention. While Trump’s formal nomination as the GOP’s presidential candidate was a foregone conclusion, his choice of running mate raised eyebrows: JD Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Newsroom
23 July, 2024
Thumbnail GDP Live v2

Launch of GDPLive's new Inflation Tracker with Foodstuffs North Island

On July 15, Foodstuffs North Island welcomed us to their Auckland headquarters for a high-profile event unveiling GDPLive's latest iteration - the world's first real-time GDP and inflation tracker. Acting Prime Minister Hon David Seymour, Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin, and Massey University's Professor Christoph Schumacher and Dr Teo Susnjak delivered compelling presentations on the platform's advancements. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Professor Christoph Schumacher
Event video
23 July, 2024
2024 07 22 Reforming NZs curriculum website

Podcast: Reforming New Zealand's Curriculum

In this episode, Oliver and Michael discuss recent education reform recommendations in NZ, focusing on the development of a knowledge-rich curriculum and evidence-based teaching practices. Michael, who chaired the Ministerial Advisory Group that made these recommendations, defends the proposed changes against various criticisms and emphasizes that they are based on scientific research about effective learning, not political ideology. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Michael Johnston
19 July, 2024

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