MEDIA

We all assume we've got a handle on basic knowledge, but a new survey has found New Zealanders have some serious gaps when it comes to basic maths, geography and history facts. Briar Lipson spoke to Jesse Mulligan on Radio New Zealand about the finding from her new report, Ignorance is not bliss: why knowledge matters (and why we might not have enough of it). Read more

Worrying comments from Whetu Cormick, President of the New Zealand Principals Federation in today’s Herald show why, for the sake of educational equity, it is time New Zealand rethought its approach to knowledge in the national curriculum. Commenting on the Initiative’s latest research report, Ignorance is not bliss: Why knowledge matters (and why we may not have enough of it), Cormick explained that the curriculum was right to let teachers choose topics on the basis of students’ interests. Read more

New research released by The New Zealand Initiative reveals significant gaps in adult New Zealanders’ general knowledge. Ignorance is not bliss: Why knowledge matters (and why we may not have enough of it) argues that although information is readily available nowadays, our basic knowledge of subjects like geography, history, and maths is low. Read more

On Q+A, Briar Lipson discusses our survey that tested 1,000 voting-aged New Zealanders on the state of their general knowledge. The (surprising) findings formed the basis for her latest research note, Ignorance is not bliss: Why knowledge matters (and why we may not have enough of it). Read more

Education Minister Chris Hipkins was asked about the findings from our latest education research note, Ignorance is not bliss: Why knowledge matters (and why we may not have enough of it). Minister Hipkins says, "...We have it at our fingertips now: the ability to look up any information we may wish to. Read more

As Parliament rushes the final stages of the Government’s Zero Carbon Bill, a new report by think tank The New Zealand Initiative warns the Bill is so seriously flawed that it could raise emissions. The report, Real action, not empty words says New Zealand can reduce global emissions by far more than we contribute by working with whoever can do the most to reduce emissions, wherever they are. Read more

Bold policy changes in the form of congestion pricing, which charges drivers higher road user rates at peak times in overcrowded routes, can solve New Zealand’s shocking congestion problems, says a new report from The New Zealand Initiative. The Price is Right: The road to a better transport system provides compelling evidence that without proper road user pricing, congestion will continue to increase in our urban centres. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich speaks on The AM Show about our latest report, The Price is Right: The road to a better transport system, and highlights how an effective road pricing system (congestion charging), in place of current fuel taxes we pay would benefit drivers, and reduce our shocking congestion problem.  Read more

Dr Patrick Carvalho discusses his new report, The Price is Right: The road to a better transport system, with Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB. He highlights the benefits of a revenue-neutral congestion charging system that would help to solve the increasing congestion levels in New Zealand. Read more

Our new report, The Price is Right: The road to a better transport system, by Patrick Carvalho, calls for bipartisan political support for the introduction to congestion pricing. The report argues congestion charging - where road users pay charges based on distance, time, location and vehicle type and weight - can promote funding transparency and accountability while addressing the increasing congestion woes in New Zealand. Read more

Our executive director Dr Oliver Hartwich sits down with Kim Campbell to discuss the work of the Initiative, why it's important and highlights some of the challenges we face. Oliver gives some insights into his childhood in Germany, and his career path to how he ended up in Wellington at the Initiative. Read more

Chief Economist Eric Crampton speaks about the Provincial Growth Fund and the $50 million that has been spent on feasibility studies.

  Read more

Abolishing New Zealand’s decile-based school funding system may get rid of the decile stigma of some schools. However, it does nothing to address the underlying issues, says a new research note by think tank The New Zealand Initiative. Read more

Low-decile schools are often viewed as being of lower quality by parents and are disproportionately categorised by ERO in the underperforming category. However, findings from The New Zealand Initiative’s latest report, In Fairness to Our Schools: Better measures for better outcomes, suggests that many low-deciles schools are some of the top-performers in the country. Read more

How do you rate a secondary school's performance? For many parents the decile rating becomes the default measure. Read more