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Media Release: New research reveals the start of excessive non-academic staffing in New Zealand Universities

New research reveals the start of excessive non-academic staffing in New Zealand Universities Wellington (Wednesday, 28 February 2024) - This new research note, When the Bloat Began: Non-Academic Staffing at New Zealand Universities over the Long Run, 1961-1997, reveals the year in which non-academic employees started to outnumber academics at our universities. Building on the findings of our earlier research report, Blessing or Bloat? Read more

Dr Michael Johnston
Dr James Kierstead
28 February, 2024

Media Release: Government’s mini-budget fronts the serious challenges ahead

Wellington (Wednesday, 20 December 2023) - “Treasury’s updated fiscal and economic forecasts released today confirm that this government faces serious fiscal challenges”, said Dr Bryce Wilkinson, Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Initiative. “The Minister of Finance’s “mini-budget” statement shows she fully ‘gets it’.” “Taxpayers and the recipients of government spending cannot all expect to avoid the burden of those challenges”. Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson
20 December, 2023
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Press Statement: The New Zealand Initiative celebrates Senior Fellow Michael Johnston's appointment

Wellington (Tuesday, 19 December 2023) – The New Zealand Initiative proudly announces the appointment of its Senior Fellow, Dr Michael Johnston, as the Chair of the Government’s newly established Ministerial Advisory Group to review the primary school English, maths and statistics curricula in New Zealand. Dr Johnston is a cognitive psychologist with an extensive background in the education sector. Read more

Dr Michael Johnston
19 December, 2023

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