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
We mourn the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her reign was extraordinary. Read more
I have a good relationship with my parents. However, when the subject of visiting them for Christmas came up, their answer was: “You’d better not come!” In every respect, Germany is expecting a miserable winter. Read more
The New Zealand Initiative's latest report researched claims made by the Government that systemic racism is to blame for poor Māori health outcomes. It also analysed the Government’s prescription to remedy the situation by prioritising health spending for Māori, especially in Pharmac’s medicine procurement. Read more
If a workplace relations system requires armies of HR people and lawyers to work, it is too complicated. At least that was the conclusion, jointly reached by the ACTU and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, with the support of the Albanese government. Read more
Are Māori dying earlier because they are Māori? Do Māori lead less healthy lives because they are being discriminated against? Read more
Are Māori dying earlier because they are Māori? Do Māori lead less healthy lives because they are being discriminated against? Read more
Oliver Hartwich joins Chris Trotter and Damien Grant on The Working Groups Weekly Political Podcast hosted by Martyn Bradbury. They discuss a range of issues including: Issue 1 – State Services vs Me and the gagging of the Children’s Commissioner Issue 2 – Powell shoves US Economy down Jackson Hole – what does Adrian Orr do? Read more
Have you heard of Leonardo's masterpiece, The Muppets' Last Supper? Or Kandinsky's colourful Swirling Music Notes? Read more
Oliver Hartwich is joined by Retail NZ CEO, Greg Harford, to discuss the pressures retailers are facing in the current economic climate - crime, inflation, fair pay agreements, increasing costs of doing business, labour shortages, and Covid. To listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
During the European sovereign debt crisis, I contributed a regular column to the Australian magazine Business Spectator. One week, I noticed a tiny bit of hope, which I wanted to write about. Read more
There is an old tradition in academia to publish a Festschrift to honour significant birthdays of eminent scholars. It is not something we do in think tank land, so we should at least celebrate Bryce Wilkinson’s 75th birthday in Insights. Read more
The situation was dire as the country went to the polls. Certainly so, according to a pamphlet produced by the opposition leader. Read more
Oliver Hartwich talks with Professor David Rozado from Otago Polytechnic about his research in positive/negative sentiment words and terms loaded with political connotations in academia and news/opinion articles from news media outlets. To view Professor Rozado's twitter feed click here. Read more
The year is AD2022. The West is united against its many foes. Read more
A little more than half a year after New Zealand Labour came to power in 2017, Education Minister Chris Hipkins held two education summits. There were 1,400 people at the Auckland and Christchurch events, which cost NZ$3.1 million to run. Read more