Much of my work for The New Zealand Initiative is on local government. I am interested in how local government can contribute to a growing economy. Read more
Every student of game theory knows that madness can have its advantages. If your enemy believes you will retaliate, regardless of the cost to yourself, they may think twice before crossing you. Read more
Imagine if your household owned a share in many valuable things - houses, businesses, forests, and more - worth about $275,000. But the income you were getting was meagre. Read more
“New Zealand is the best country on Planet Earth,” Christopher Luxon keeps telling anyone. Indeed, he has been saying this since before becoming Prime Minister. Read more
Treasury is consulting on changes to the Natural Hazards Insurance Levy – formerly known as the EQC levy. The Herald’s Jenée Tibshraeny reports that Treasury is considering increasing the Natural Hazards Commission’s cap from $345,000 to $460,000 while increasing the levy by up to $400 per year to make up the difference. Read more
Everybody knows the dice are loaded. At least according to Canadian policy analyst Leonard Cohen. Read more
For many conservatives, Donald Trump’s return to the presidency brings hope. America’s institutions desperately needed disruption. Read more
The Finance and Expenditure Committee resumed its banking inquiry this week, with Committee members wanting to hear again from bank chiefs. The Committee is looking for answers about banking competition. Read more
The government has made increased competition a highlight of its economic growth agenda. So, one might have hoped that a targeted review of the Commerce Act would aim at the big problems blocking open and competitive markets. Read more
Panic ensued this week after it was revealed that young people have been going to summer music festivals, listening to music – and in some cases even getting drunk. As a report for RNZ revealed, there has been a crackdown on outdoor festivals all through the summer, with four postponed and another four cancelled outright. Read more
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he wants a bureaucracy that says “yes.” He is right to want that of course, but a lot of current rules would need to change. Under current rules, far too much is too hard. Read more
When US President Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin on 12 February, he made history – but not in a good way. Following a 90-minute conversation, Trump announced he would meet Putin first in Saudi Arabia and then visit Moscow, while Putin would come to Washington. Read more
The Supreme Court’s decisions late last year in A, B and C v D and E Limited as Trustees of the Z Trusti (the Alphabet case) and Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka (the Edwards case) v Ngāti Ira O Waiowekaii (the Edwards case) offer a striking study in contrasts. Both decisions have drawn attention for appearing to resist judicial overreach. Read more
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has promised everything his government does this year will focus on creating growth. That is great. Read more
In 2002, the ‘Corngate’ controversy broke in the media. Journalist John Campbell blindsided then-PM Helen Clark with allegations that genetically modified (GM) corn had been accidentally released in New Zealand. Read more