Wellington (20 April 2016): Regulations and taxes on sugar are unlikely to improve public health, a new report from The New Zealand Initiative says. The Health of the State report, released today, argues that paternalistic regulations have an adverse effect on society where freedom of choice is increasingly becoming permitted only with the consent of the state. Read more
Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, talked to Paul Henry about the tax announcements ahead of Budget 2016. Read more
Our Head of Research, Dr Eric Crampton, talks to Radio New Zealand about sugar taxes, and why we should value individual freedom and personal responsibility. Read more
Our Head of Research, Dr Eric Crampton, talks to Katie Bradford from One News following a poll showing that a majority of New Zealanders currently support a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. CLICK HERE to view the video. Read more
Our Research Fellow, Jason Krupp, talks to Jesse Mulligan from Radio New Zealand about how other vibrant cities throughout the world deal with the inevitable tension between nightlight and community concerns. Read more
Wellington (4 April 2016): Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is right to be sceptical about sugar and soda taxes, says The New Zealand Initiative. “While a handful of countries have tried sugar taxes, evidence that they will work is not as convincing as public health experts suggest,” says policy analyst Jenesa Jeram. Read more
Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, talks to RadioLive's Ali Mau about the merits of Canada's refugee policy, which allows Canadian citizens and community groups to sponsor and support refugees. Read more
Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, joins Larry Williams on Newstalk ZB to discuss the Canadian approach to refugees, and why New Zealand should adopt a similar policy. CLICK HERE to listen to the audio. Read more
Wellington (1 April 2016): Amid calls from politicians and civil society to lift the refugee quota, The New Zealand Initiative is urging government to take note of Canada’s system that allows private groups to sponsor refugees. In New Zealand, the government explicitly limits the number of refugees that are allowed into the country each year, reflecting in part the direct costs of the process that are borne by the state. Read more
Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, speaks to 2GB Radio about Australia having taken a holiday when it comes to making meaningful economic reforms when compared to New Zealand. Is this because Australia continues to have an Upper House, or is it failing on behalf of their politicians to explain the need for reforms? Read more
Many Australians are moving away from the Big Four banks and instead opting to place their money with smaller banks that are offering higher interest rates. Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, provides ABC Radio with insights into monetary policy from both New Zealand and Europe - including recent murmuring from some in Europe to embark on a programme of "Helicopter Money". Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich discusses the OCR with Paul Henry on 10 March 2016. Read more
Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, joins ABC Radio to provide some insights about the state of democracy across Europe, and why democracy is under threat in Eastern Europe. Read more
Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, joins Paul Henry to discuss whether Reserve Bank Governor, Graeme Wheeler, will cut the Official Cash Rate. Read more
Our Head of Research, Dr Eric Crampton, joins Annie Newman, Bill Rosenberg and Susan Guthrie on Waatea 5th Estate to discuss the minimum wage and living wage. Read more