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
Kiwi households are paying more than $3,000 extra on essentials than they were 12 months ago, and policies implemented by the Government and Reserve Bank are contributing to the problem. Matt Burgess talks to Oliver Hartwich about his latest research note. Read more
Earlier this week, Climate Change Minister James Shaw was interviewed by Andrew Dickens on Newstalk ZB about our latest research, Pretence of Necessity: Why further climate change action isn’t needed and won’t help. The Minister made some dubious claims during his interview. Read more
We strongly oppose the proposed Social Unemployment Insurance. This submission explains why we believe that such an addition to the New Zealand welfare state is undesirable. Read more
Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine has changed the world. Regardless of how it ends, its consequences will last for decades. Read more
How has Putin’s regime changed over the years? And does the structure of his government explain Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its poor military performance? Read more
There is no excuse for being Russian these days, not even if you are a cat. The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) reacted swiftly to Putin’s war against Ukraine. Read more
Putin’s war is a tragedy for Ukraine. Yet its economic implications will be felt far beyond Ukraine’s borders for years to come. Read more
In late January, I wrote a column arguing a Russian invasion of Ukraine was not a foregone conclusion (Russia has won the war without firing a single shot, 25 January). I wish my cautious optimism had been proven right. Read more
Wellington (Tuesday, 8 March 2022) The New Zealand Initiative is applauding the Commerce Commission for their final report into supermarket competition, and says the regulator is right to take issue with the red tape that hinders competitors entering the market. The Commission recommended easing zoning restrictions so that it is legal to build supermarkets in more places, removing restrictive covenants that hinder supermarket development in prime sites, and ensuring that the Overseas Investment Act and the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act do not unduly impede entry and expansion. Read more
In less than a week since Russia invaded Ukraine, the war has turned German politics upside down. We are used to seeing about-faces, changes of mind, and U-turns in politics. Read more
Even in ordinary times, it is difficult to govern a country well. During a crisis, it requires much greater skill, experience and judgment. Read more
‘Historic’ is a word we tend to use too much, but there is no doubt the 24th of February 2022 is a turning point in European and world history. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the post-1989 era has come to an end. Read more
Mike Hosking reads out portions of Oliver Hartwich’s latest NZ Herald article, An inflation crisis of the government’s making, on Newstalk ZB. Read more
Life has become grotesquely unaffordable for many Kiwis, so who is to blame? Oliver Hartwich joins Ben Craven to explain why prices are so high, how politicians will try to take advantage of the cost-of-living crisis, and why we can soon expect to lose more Kiwis to Australia. Read more
It has become fashionable to complain about New Zealand's cost-of-living crisis. And it is true: life has become grotesquely unaffordable for many Kiwis. Read more