We all know two wrongs don’t make a right. But nor does getting something only half right. Read more
On Wednesday evening, Oliver summed up our event à la Casablanca. Thanking our guest speakers, he rightly said ‘I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship’. Read more
I thought that having a UK celebrity chef tell us that our kids are too fat and that anyone against a sugar tax deserves a slap would have gone down as well as a sous vide burger. I was wrong. Read more
The Commerce Commission now has more powers to investigate competition issues in any area where it thinks there might be a problem. In this week’s National Business Review, the Initiative’s Chair, Roger Partridge, argues this was a bad idea. Read more
A report suggesting radical reforms of the way teachers and schools are assessed has been shot down by those working in the sector. The New Zealand Initiative, a market-oriented think tank, says existing measures of "success" are unfair on lower-decile schools, which are often achieving much better results than raw data would suggest. Read more
Imagine what would happen if a third of the people you worked with were absent at least half a day per week? Most employers would not tolerate it. Read more
In blocking the NZME/Fairfax and Vodafone/Sky mergers, the Commerce Commission again demonstrated its crucial role in shaping New Zealand markets. Both decisions were subject to close public scrutiny and attracted support and criticism, almost in equal measure. Read more
So here we go again. It is an election year, and we are witnessing the political equivalent of a soap show – only interrupted by the occasional attempted election bribe. Read more
This week, members of the Law and Economics Association were treated to dinner and a show. Or something close to it. Read more
Important developments often get overlooked during busy news weeks. With the Lions tour, the America’s Cup victory, and a salacious scandal or two, it can be hard to keep up. Read more
The primary teachers' union NZEI reports that partnership schools attract two to three times as much funding as state schools. But the Ministry of Education, in its role as referee, has always maintained funding is equivalent across both school types. Read more
Just over a week ago, the OECD released its two-yearly economic report card for New Zealand. At first glance, New Zealand looks picturesque according to the 2017 Economic Survey. Read more
In Damon Knight’s classic science-fiction short story, helpful aliens provide Earth with unlimited energy and plenty of food. The aliens even have a manual titled, “How to Serve Man.” It all seems too good to be true – until a translator works out the book’s first paragraph and sees it is not your traditional alien butler’s training guide. Read more
Last week brought some hope that this year’s election would have a stronger policy focus. The OECD released its report on the state of the New Zealand, and the moves necessary to improve outcomes in education, productivity and economic growth. Read more
Some things just sound odd when delivered with an accent. Imagine a French exposition on the virtues of Marlborough sauvignon blanc or an Australian singing the praises of New Zealand’s weather. Read more