OPINION

After decades of loose discussions about a trans-Atlantic common market, serious talks on a free trade agreement between the US and the EU are finally about to begin. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will formally start to take shape with a first round of negotiations in Washington on July 8. Read more

As Kiwis watch Kevin Rudd's re-elevation to the Australian prime ministership, one curious thing becomes clear: this leadership bid had nothing to do with policy, but Mr Rudd's character, and backbenchers afraid of losing their seats. To understand why Julia Gillard failed so miserably as prime minister, one must understand the shortcomings of Mr Rudd. Read more

As Kiwis watch Kevin Rudd's re-elevation to the Australian prime ministership, one curious thing becomes clear: this leadership bid had nothing to do with policy, but Mr Rudd's character, and backbenchers afraid of losing their seats. To understand why Julia Gillard failed so miserably as prime minister, one must understand the shortcomings of Mr Rudd. Read more

Finally, exceptional primary school teachers can see an opportunity to be recognised for their hard work in the classroom. The primary teachers’ union, the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), recently announced the introduction of what is essentially performance-based pay. Read more

It is one of those ideas that come up again and again without ever being properly scrutinised – that a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) like Norway’s is a fantastic idea that deserves to be copied elsewhere, even in New Zealand. Last week, the National Business Review reported that Methanex New Zealand chief executive Harvey Weake is making the case for a Norwegian-style SWF. Read more

Should children be learning knowledge or skills? People argue as if one is more important than the other. Read more

When the opposition released its report on Monday into the inquiry of the so-called manufacturing crisis, it was hard not to be underwhelmed. Manufacturing: The New Consensus argues that New Zealand manufacturing is in a parlous state and that several key government interventions are required to help the sector. Read more

If you have not noticed it yet, 2013 is the International Year of Statistics. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Statistics New Zealand invited me to speak at a breakfast event on the trustworthiness of statistics. Read more

The weekend after the Australian federal election, on September 22, Germany will go to the polls. Speculation about the potential outcome lacks any excitement value. Read more

If someone asked you how much of New Zealand was built upon, what would your guess be? 5% or 10%? Read more

I was told the story of a teacher in Ontario who reluctantly participated in a project to improve her students’ learning. After several months she found that “her students performed better than she had even expected herself.” When she told her story, she wept. Read more

Privatisation provides an interesting case study for free-marketeers. Almost everyone is opposed to the notion, yet those same people often buy the stock. Read more

It’s another week in the never-ending euro crisis. There is talk about the need for another Greek haircut before the end of the year. Read more

When the financial crisis started about six years ago, the global policy response was a mixture of monetary and fiscal stimulus. Governments increased spending and hoped for multiplier effects. Read more

There are many facets to New Zealand’s housing affordability conundrum, but the bottom line is there is a shortage of houses, and there is a shortage of new houses (dwellings) being built. Supply is not meeting demand as in other markets and prices are absorbing the difference. Read more