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 the 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
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
In our final episode of the year, Oliver and Michael discuss how things are sitting now in NZ with a new government, the challenges they're facing, some of the early decisions they've made and what the prospects are for the new year. To listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
Mike Hosking talks to Dr Oliver Hartwich about the recent fall in GDP, as the economy shrank 0.3 per cent compared to the June 2023 quarter. Listen below. Read more
As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on a transformative year for New Zealand’s political scene. The election ended Labour’s six-year reign and ushered in a new three-party coalition government under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Read more
As 2023 draws to an end, it is time for a stocktake on the most significant geopolitical issue of the past couple of years: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At first, this unprovoked attack seemed to trigger a revival of Western unity and determination. Read more
Peter Shirtcliffe, long-time Chairman of Telecom and laureate of the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, joins Oliver on the podcast. Telecom (now known as Spark) was NZ's largest listed company from 1990 to 1999. Read more
In the rugged landscapes of Thingvellir National Park, just outside Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, lies a reminder of a simpler time in governance. During a visit many years ago, I was struck not just by Thingvellir’s natural beauty but by its historical significance: Thingvellir was the site of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th to the 18th century. Read more
When it comes to politics, it is often easier to create new policies than to dismantle existing ones. Returning a scrambled egg to its original state would be an apt metaphor for the challenge facing Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s newly-formed coalition government in New Zealand. Read more
Economics enjoys the reputation of being the “dismal science”. And yes, there is hardly a policy in which economists cannot find a flaw. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich talks to Nick Cater on his show on ADH TV about Chistopher Luxon. Watch here. Read more
Lord Hannan, a sitting member of the House of Lords and an adviser to the UK Board of Trade, talks to Oliver on this week's episode. They discuss Lord Hannan's background, his role in the Brexit campaign and his point of view on the UK's progress since its withdrawal from the EU. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich spoke to Sean Plunket on The Platform to react to National's policy programme. You can find a snippet of their conversation below. Read more
Writing about European affairs for a New Zealand audience may seem, at first glance, a bit of a strange pastime. What happens in European domestic politics rarely seems to matter down here. Read more
The outcome of New Zealand’s recent coalition negotiations marks only the beginning of the next three years of government. But the principles and policies outlined in the agreements suggest the country now has a reformist administration ready to rebuild the economy, refine regulations, and expand choice in social services. Read more