About our events

The New Zealand Initiative holds events throughout the year to promote debate, disseminate ideas, and connect with our supporters. Our events include public forums, conferences, and debates. We also organise outreach activities with secondary schools, universities, and young professionals.

Public Forums: The Initiative occasionally hosts larger public events with prominent international speakers. These events are a great opportunity to discuss ideas and meet new people in an informal setting.

Member-only Events: Exclusive to members to the Initiative.

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Upcoming Public Forums

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Members Events

AndrewLittle feature

Members' Lunch with the Labour Party

Elected Labour leader in November 2014, Andrew has started a process of policy review for his party. We want to find out where this will lead Labour, and conversely, Labour is interested in establishing a dialogue with The New Zealand Initiative and its members. Read more

15 July, 2015
Auckland
  Member only event
Chris Berg feature1

Liberty, Equality & Democracy with Chris Berg

At The New Zealand Initiative we believe that people can be trusted to make their own decisions. Which is why we are concerned that governments are increasingly telling us what and how much to eat, whether to drink, or how to arrange our financial affairs. Read more

29 June, 2015
Wellington and Auckland
Hekia Parata feature1

Report Launch: Un(ac)countable with Minister of Education

On Thursday, 4 June Minister of Education Hekia Parata will launch our new report. The report investigates a programme introduced to New Zealand primary schools 15 years ago that changed the way maths is taught, and tracks maths achievement over that time. Read more

4 June, 2015
Wellington
Paula Bennett feature1

Members' Lunch with Hon Paula Bennett

In her previous role as Minister for Social Development, Hon Paula Bennett pioneered the investment approach in social welfare. Following National’s re-election she is pursuing an equally ambitious and innovative reform agenda in her new portfolios. Read more

12 May, 2015
Auckland
  Member only event
Gary Born feature1

Bilateral Arbitration Treaty Regime with Gary Born

Meredith Connell, together with the New Zealand Centre of International Economic Law and The New Zealand Initiative, invites you to a discussion with Gary Born. Gary Born is widely regarded as the world’s preeminent authority on international commercial arbitration and international litigation. Read more

6 May, 2015
Auckland and Wellington
JasonKrupp feature

Report Launch: From Red Tape to Green Gold

Join us on Monday, 23 March, for the launch of From Red Tape to Green Gold, when research fellow Jason Krupp will outline the policy changes needed to boost mining output and bolster environmental protections. As a country with one of the highest natural capital endowments per person in the world, New Zealand is not just sitting on a gold mine, but oilfields, iron ore deposits, high grade coking coal seams, and numerous other industrial minerals. Read more

23 March, 2015
Wellington
Retreat2015 feature NicolaW

Members' Retreat 2015

Our Retreat is the chance to discuss social and economic issues with members and bring those issues to the attention of New Zealand’s leading politicians. Please contact Chelsy at chelsy.blair@nzinitiative.org.nz for further information. Read more

12 March, 2015
Auckland
  Member only event
NickSmith feature

Members' Meeting with Hon Nick Smith and Professor Stuart McCutcheon

Nick Smith won the Tasman seat in 1990 and 1993, and following the introduction of MMP, Nelson in 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014 despite both having a long previous history as Labour areas. In 2014, he secured exactly 20,000 votes - increasing his majority to 7,605 while National secured its highest ever party vote in Nelson with 16,904 votes. Read more

21 November, 2014
Auckland
  Member only event
AmbZG feature

Fall of the Wall: The 25th Anniversary

On 9 November 1989, world history was made. The fall of the Berlin Wall ended decades of German division, it brought the Cold War to an end, and it even triggered US political scientist Francis Fukuyama to proclaim “the end of history”. Read more

10 November, 2014
Wellington
BillEnglish feature

Members' Lunch with Hon Bill English

The Minister of Finance will outline his perspective on the outcome of the election and the agenda for the new government. About the speaker he Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance (roles he has held since 2008) and the Minister Responsible for Housing New Zealand Corporation. Read more

16 October, 2014
Auckland
  Member only event
StephenFranks feature

Next Generation Debates 2014 Wellington Grand-final

Come along and listen to some of New Zealand’s top university debaters battle over the moot: Commemorations of past wars are nationalistic exercises in war glorification. We'll have panellists Stephen Franks of Franks Ogilvie and Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative Dr Oliver Hartwich. Read more

20 August, 2014
Wellington
Debates feature TomObrien

Next Generation Debates 2014 Wellington Semi-final

Come along and listen to some of New Zealand’s top university debaters battle it out with the moot: Should New Zealand tie MPs and Ministers' salaries to a multiple of the average national income? We will have panellists political commentator and blogger David Farrar and Jordan Williams, Executive Director of The Taxpayers' Union. Read more

13 August, 2014
Wellington

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