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
Oliver Hartwich and Matt Burgess discuss the Commerce Commissions market study on supermarket competition. What are the barriers to competitors entering the market, and is the number of competitors a real indication of price competition? Read more
Reports about the Government reconsidering the controversial Auckland cycling bridge are welcome. At projected costs of $785 million, the bridge always looked excessively expensive. Read more
A 500-gram punnet of grapes: $1.89. A 2 litre bottle of Coca-Cola: also $1.89. Read more
The Climate Change Commission believes the ETS is not enough. But not enough for what? Read more
A few days ago, the Otaki Medical Centre posted about one of their doctors on Facebook: “We’re disappointed to have lost Dr Richards back to the UK after being unable to secure him and his family residency due to a Government freeze in place with COVID-19,” the GP practice wrote. “Here is an amazing doctor, who cares about our community and wanted to make NZ home. Read more
Oliver Hartwich and Eric Crampton join Matt Burgess to talk about the government’s performance on immigration since the lockdown. Skilled migrants who cannot get their families into the country or obtain residency are now leaving, while MIQ spaces sit vacant and the government is paying migrants to come into the country to deal with a skills shortage. Read more
Countries have political rallies, of course. But when they take place in France, with its revolutionary history, they always appear more passionate. Read more
Oliver Hartwich talks with Kiwi entrepreneur Graham Rich about Covid, charitable activities and life in challenging times. If you would like to listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
When opposition parties produce policy documents, they can be overly simplistic and populist. They can be unrealistic because they do not have to be implemented straight away. Read more
Matt Burgess explains what happens when the ETS reaches its price cap. If you would like to listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
Matt Burgess and Oliver Hartwich discuss the politicisation of the Euro 2020 football tournament. If you would like to listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
So, it’s not coming home. 55 years after England’s last international football tournament triumph, the Three Lions are still waiting to beat their trauma. Read more
Oliver Hartwich interviews Mark Honeybone, the founder and owner of Property Ventures, about the raft of new regulations affecting the housing market. If you would like to listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
We all wish Helen Clark a long life. At the same time, that prospect makes us nervous. Read more
Matt Burgess talks to Oliver Hartwich about his latest Herald column about the new political role central banks play. If you would like to listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more