New Zealand is in good fiscal shape and the budget on track back to surplus. However, demographic change means we cannot afford to be complacent. Read more
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
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
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
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
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
Come along and listen to some of New Zealand’s top university debaters battle it out with the moot: Progressive tax rates are unfair. We will have panellists Julian Darby of Russell Investments and Roger Partridge, Chairman of The New Zealand Initiative. Read more
In recent decades, urban planners have been inventing all sorts of abstract objectives to justify their plans for our future cities: smart growth, liveability, and sustainability are among the most recent fads. There is nothing wrong, of course, for a city to be smart, liveable, or sustainable. Read more
Join us for a drink to celebrate the launch of New Zealand by Numbers, our take on the nations social and economic progress.
The Boatshed, Taranaki Street Wharf, Wellington Read more
The Australian government recently appointed Tim Wilson, an outspoken classical liberal, to its Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Wilson's agenda is ambitious: He seeks to promote a culture of rights and responsibilities so that every citizen understands their rights and confidently stands up for them against government encroachment. Read more
Co-authored by Jason Krupp and Khyaati Acharya, the report analyses the assumption that in order to accommodate an ever-growing population cities need to build up, not out. The idea behind this suggestion is that denser, more compact cities achieve higher levels of productivity, greater housing affordability, better health outcomes and less traffic congestion. Read more
The New Zealand Initiative invites you to the launch of James Allan's new book Democracy in Decline. Professor Allan will speak at public events in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch on 12, 13 and 14 May. Read more
Join us for the launch of the final report in a series on foreign direct investment (FDI). Co-authored by Dr Bryce Wilkinson and Khyaati Acharya, Open for Business makes bold recommendations to open our markets to international capital. Read more
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
Please join us for the launch of John Morris and Rose Patterson’s final report on teacher quality, where they will discuss how New Zealand can transform teaching into a profession. The first in a three part series of reports identified that teachers are New Zealand’s greatest educational asset. Read more