MEDIA

Dr Oliver Hartwich talked to Heather Du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB about the potential global economic impact of Donald Trump's tariffs. Dr Hartwich highlighted that these tariffs could destabilise global trade for decades, with businesses struggling to plan due to the unpredictable nature of trade policies. Read more

Wellington (Thursday, 29 May 2025) - The Government's announcement of sweeping reforms to national direction under the Resource Management Act represents an important interim step toward fixing New Zealand's broken planning system. The reforms include proposed amendments to a suite of existing national direction instruments and several new instruments across three key areas: infrastructure and development, primary sector regulation, and freshwater management. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton talked to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB about The New Zealand Initiative's blueprint for addressing supermarket competition in New Zealand. The Initiative proposes a five-year fast-track planning framework to enable new international grocery retailers to enter the market, addressing regulatory barriers that currently make it challenging for new supermarket operators to establish themselves. Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about the Regulatory Standards Bill, explaining why the legislation is necessary despite seeming redundant. Dr Wilkinson argued that the bill elevates essential regulatory principles to a higher statutory status, ensuring government accountability and protecting individual rights by providing a check against potentially oppressive legislation. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about Budget 2025, providing a critical analysis of the government's fiscal approach. He highlighted concerns about the structural deficit, KiwiSaver contributions, and potential fiscal risks, noting that the budget's overall spending remains similar to the previous Labour government's approach. Read more

Dr Michael Johnston was mentioned by Newstalk ZB in their news segment about the declining number of trainees and apprentices in New Zealand, following his recent report on trades training and improving vocational pathways. Dr Johnston suggested that introducing a graduated training wage as apprentices progress through their training could provide incentives for apprentices, in response to data showing a 12% drop in learners and a 19% decrease in continuing apprentices from previous years. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about the Green Party's alternative budget, critiquing its $88 billion tax increase plan and unrealistic spending proposals. Dr Hartwich specifically highlighted the impracticality of the Greens' free dentistry policy given New Zealand's limited number of dentists and described the alternative budget as a "fantasy" rather than a realistic economic proposal. Read more

Newstalk ZB reported that The New Zealand Initiative, along with unions and other think tanks, has been returned to the budget reveal lock-up guest list after Treasury decided to accept a broader range of stakeholders. NZCTU president Richard Wagstaff commented on the importance of this access, stating 'we can't give up on democracy' and noting that attending lock-ups and meeting with ministers is what 'we've done for decades.' Listen below. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton talked to Wallace Chapman on RNZ's show The Panel about Treasury's initial decision to ban civil society groups like the New Zealand Initiative from the 2025 budget lockup. Dr Crampton explained how Treasury had reversed their decision following legal threats and media backlash, highlighting the importance of maintaining access for organisations that provide independent analysis of budget announcements. Read more

Heather Du Plessis-Allan discussed how Finance Minister Nicola Willis excluded several organisations, including The New Zealand Initiative, from the budget lock-up on Newstalk ZB. She expressed disappointment with this decision, noting that the people at the New Zealand Initiative are "incredibly bright" and their scrutiny would benefit the country. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich talked to Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB about the government's increased capital spending, describing it as "a relatively minor announcement" and "a drop in the government's ocean."

Dr Hartwich also discussed the potential for asset recycling, suggesting the government could sell state-owned companies in the energy sector and its Air New Zealand stake, and noted that the retention of the R&D tax credit provides certainty for businesses already using the scheme. Listen below Read more

John MacDonald on Newstalk ZB discussed the pros and cons of MMP, referencing the Initiative's analysis that proportional representation is a strength while voter understanding is a weakness. The Initiative's research from a 2020 report was cited, which found that fewer than half of voters understand the rules governing how parties gain parliamentary representation. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about the proposed social media ban for under-16s in Australia and similar potential legislation in New Zealand. Dr Crampton discussed the practical challenges of implementing such bans, explaining the "trilemma" of any potential implementation system having at least one undesirable property: either being easy for kids to circumvent, burdensome for adult users, or ending internet privacy. Read more

Mike Hosking highlighted Dr Oliver Hartwich's article in The Australian on Newstalk ZB, mentioning that the New Zealand Initiative's executive director compared Australia's current political situation to New Zealand's experience. Hosking described the piece as "well worth reading" where Dr Hartwich examined how Labour was "unceremoniously ejected" from power in New Zealand, concluding with reflections on democratic accountability as "both the frustration and the glory of democracy." Listen below. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton talked to Matt Heath and Tyler Adams on Newstalk ZB about the proposed social media ban for under sixteens in New Zealand. Dr Crampton discussed the mixed evidence on social media harms, the benefits for young people, and explained why implementing such a ban would inevitably create problematic trade-offs between ease of circumvention, adult user convenience, and online privacy. Read more