Some things are legitimately confusing. Canada’s low-risk drinking guidelines are not confusing. Read more
1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 1.1 This submission responds to the Ministry for the Environment's public consultation on proposed changes to National Policy Statements (NPSs) and National Environmental Standards (NESs) under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). Read more
Imagine asking your accountant to explain their calculations – and they respond by demanding triple their fee and warning you will be embarrassed by what they find. That is roughly what happened when New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) was asked about new transparency requirements. Read more
In this episode, Eric talks to Michael Simcock, a structural engineer and recent MBA graduate, about the complex challenges preventing the introduction of cheaper building materials in New Zealand. They dive deep into the regulatory, technical, and economic barriers that make it difficult to use alternative building products, exploring how unique building codes, testing requirements, and the small scale of the New Zealand construction market create obstacles to reducing building costs. Read more
Dr James Kierstead talked to Michael Laws on The Platform about the decline of academic freedom in New Zealand universities. Drawing from his report "Unpopular Opinions", Dr Kierstead highlighted numerous instances of free speech suppression, arguing that university managers have been instrumental in deep-platforming speakers and that legislative intervention is necessary to protect freedom of expression on campuses. Read more
When our New Zealand Initiative delegation visited Amsterdam last month, officials from the Advisory Board on Regulatory Burden shared something striking. Before talking to us, this government agency had researched New Zealand’s approach – and they were astonished. Read more
You might not remember 2025, even though it’s only two decades ago. AI was only just beginning. Read more
The government’s Overseas Investment (Amendment) Bill is more good than bad. It is more welcoming of incoming overseas investment. Read more
1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY CONCLUSION 1.1 This submission on the Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2025 is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. Read more
Before our Netherlands delegation in June, I wrote in this publication about the political chaos we might encounter (When populists cannot be tamed, Newsroom 10 June 2024). Geert Wilders had just brought down the government he helped create. Read more
Dr Michael Johnston talked to Heather Du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB about the potential changes to the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). Dr Johnston argued that NCEA has failed to deliver on its promise after 20 years and suggested creating a new assessment system with one result per subject, incorporating a time-limited exam and other assessments based on a knowledge-rich curriculum. Read more
Kia ora, colleagues! It’s me, your Vice-Chancellor. Read more
In this final episode of their three-part series, Dr Eric Crampton, Dr Benno Blaschke and Dr Stuart Donovan critically examine the government's housing discussion document, assessing its potential to create more competitive urban land markets. They explore whether the proposed reforms genuinely move towards a more responsive and dynamic urban development system or remain trapped in existing planning paradigms. To listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
News this week of how hard it was for some Gen Z New Zealanders to find paid work made grim reading. They were stories of young, qualified people handing out dozens of CVs, applying for hundreds of jobs, and receiving little more than silence in return. Read more
After decades of planning gridlock, the government has promised to put property rights at the heart of New Zealand’s resource management system. But will its latest reforms deliver lasting change or just patch up the mess we already have? Read more