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
Non-academic staff outnumber academic staff in NZ universities. Recently, we found the point in time when this happened. Read more
Tucker Carlson’s visit to Moscow made headlines in recent weeks. Carlson first did a servile interview with Putin, then produced a series of short videos expressing his admiration for Moscow, its underground and even supermarket shopping carts. Read more
Last week, Oliver and Roger sat down to talk about the Supreme Court's decision on the Mike Smith climate change case. To listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
Never lead the Titans to revolt against the Olympian gods. It can cause a bit of back pain. Read more
Michael Laws talks to Dr Oliver Hartwich on The Platform about the implications of climate change litigation for New Zealand. Watch below
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Oliver talks to Professor Francis Greene from the University of Edinburgh Business School about entrepreneurship. They have a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship as an idea, as a function and as a part of economics. Read more
The World Justice Project ranks New Zealand 7th out of 142 countries on its ‘Rule of Law Index’, narrowly ahead of Australia’s 13th place. However, Australia still has hope – if only because of a recent decision by the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Read more
The Revolution’s catch-cry of ‘Liberty, equality, fraternity’ is still France’s motto. It seems, however, that ‘equality’ doesn’t get you very far in Paris. Read more
In a previous column I discussed the precarious state of European security in light of the rising threat of Russia and the potential decline of US involvement (Europe’s precarious security could invite Putin to expand war, 26 January 2024). Today, I will analyse a potential way for Europe to organise its own security: the development of a European nuclear shield. Read more
In this episode, Oliver had a unique discussion with marine scientist Dr Regina Eisert via Starlink en route from Antarctica to NZ. They talk about Regina's experience in Antarctica as well as biological and research links between NZ and Antarctica, NZ research funding and who gets to go to Scott Base, NZ's Antarctic research station. Read more
Our Research Fellow Max Salmon talks to our Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich about our current global foreign policy situation. They talk about the Middle East, such as the shipping through the Red Sea and the Houthi movement. Read more
I would not usually devote a column for The Australian to problems with a New Zealand local council. Nevertheless, the city in question is the capital, so I will make an exception. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich talks to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB and says that the Reserve Bank's policy to reduce inflation needs to be in line with government fiscal policy. Listen below. Read more
Happy new years do not start like this. The first few weeks of 2024 served as a reminder that the geopolitical situation is at its most dangerous in decades. Read more
The Government’s decision to deploy defence force personnel to the Middle East marks a significant, yet reasonable, shift in its foreign policy. Far from undermining our long-held independence stance, this move reaffirms New Zealand’s commitment to democratic values and global security. Read more