Wellington (9 November 2017): New Zealand will not only be small and distant from the rest of the world, but also years behind if regulations do not keep up with technological change. The New Zealand Initiative and InternetNZ today released their report Analog Regulation, Digital World on the state of regulation facing the technology sector. Read more
On RadioLIVE, Dr Eric Crampton discusses his latest report Analog Regulation, Digital Regulation. He explains how New Zealand is doing on regulating for digital innovation and opportunity, and how we can all work together to make things better. Read more
Wellington (7 November 2017): As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Trade Minister David Parker head for the APEC meeting and the East Asia Summit, The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the Government’s commitment to free trade agreements. But the think tank warns that New Zealand will likely fall further behind as a destination for foreign investment (FDI) if the Government pursues its policy intentions. Read more
Wellington (6 November 2017): Since becoming the Housing and Transport Minister, Mr Twyford has underlined his intention to simplify planning rules, abolish the rural urban boundary, let Auckland grow up and out, and move towards road pricing. Commenting on Phil Twyford’s statements, the Initiative’s Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich said: “The appointment of Phil Twyford as Housing and Transport Minister in the Labour-led government is a breath of fresh air. Read more
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 edition of Seafood New Zealand magazine, available here. Read more
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 edition of Seafood New Zealand magazine, available here. Read more
Wellington (30 October 2017): As the new Labour/NZ First Government pushes for stronger regional development, New Zealand should learn from the country that does regional development best. And that country is Switzerland, argues a new report by think tank The New Zealand Initiative. Read more
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The new Labour/NZ First government should be looking to Switzerland for inspiration when it comes to implementing some of its key policies, for example its unique local governance system. Oliver Hartwich explains why. Read more
The new government has suggested a $20 minimum wage in 2021, is the same as a $17.50 minimum wage today. Eric Crampton tells Mike Hosking there are already good numbers from MBIE around the effects of minimum wage increases. Read more
The new government will follow Labour's policies with immigration, the coalition agreement with NZ First has revealed. The document made public yesterday briefly outlined how the parties together would 'ensure work visas issued reflect genuine skills shortages.' There's also a promise to take 'serious action on migrant exploitation,' but didn't mention any specific number cuts, or what visa categories such cuts would come from. Read more
Wellington (19 October 2017): Yesterday, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment released a NZIER report that discredits a WorkSafe NZ safety campaign that started in November 2011. In our report, A Matter of Balance: Regulating Safety, in July 2015, we criticised the government and officials for launching a costly campaign to reduce workplace falls from heights of less than three metres. Read more
The number of people killed on our roads has continually risen over the last four years. Sam Warburton explains why on Breakfast. Read more
Oliver Hartwich talks to Ross Greenwood on 2GB, Sydney's premier news and talk radio station, about Winston Peters deciding to back Jacinda Ardern as the next Prime Minister of New Zealand. Read more
Sam Warburton says authorities should have identified the rising trend in road deaths sooner and could have saved lives by acting faster to improve safety. Radio NZ interviews him about this subject. Read more