How has Putin’s regime changed over the years? And does the structure of his government explain Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its poor military performance? Read more
We recently announced the appointment of new Senior Fellow, Dr Michael Johnston to lead our education programme. Michael joins us from Victoria University of Wellington, where he was most recently Associate Dean (Academic) in the School of Education. Read more
There is never a shortage of economic opinions among commentators – but what is the expert consensus among economists? Eric Crampton talks to Ben Craven about the new Economic Experts Survey, what the discipline agrees on, and the danger of faddish economic beliefs in the public sector. Read more
Life has become grotesquely unaffordable for many Kiwis, so who is to blame? Oliver Hartwich joins Ben Craven to explain why prices are so high, how politicians will try to take advantage of the cost-of-living crisis, and why we can soon expect to lose more Kiwis to Australia. Read more
Two weeks on from our last International Outlook podcast on the Russia/Ukraine conflict, Oliver Hartwich joins Ben Craven to discuss what has happened since. Were the meetings between Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Vladimir Putin constructive? Read more
The controversial Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act came into force from 1 December 2021. It has significantly changed how Kiwis gain access to credit. Read more
The European Union has recently labelled nuclear energy and natural gas as environmentally sustainable energy sources. What has led to this labelling and what does it mean for Europe’s energy future? Read more
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope joins Oliver Hartwich and Ben Craven on the podcast to discuss the Government's proposed unemployment insurance scheme. What will it mean for employers and employees? Read more
The early 90s was the last time New Zealand’s Reserve Bank had to get high inflation under control. Does the agency have the will and determination for the fight three decades later? Read more
2022 will be an important year for the Government as it decides upon energy and emissions policies. Matt Burgess joins Ben Craven to talk about three of the important developments we can expect to see: • The effects of a $75 ETS price; • The Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan; and • The business case for the proposed Lake Onslow Battery scheme. Read more
On our latest episode of International Outlook, Ben Craven talks to Oliver Hartwich about the tumultuous leadership of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Oliver recounts his own interactions with the larger-than-life politician and explains what impact the latest lockdown party scandal will have on Boris’s leadership and the UK’s place on the global stage. Read more
Oliver Hartwich joins Ben Craven to discuss the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Is invasion inevitable, or does Putin have other goals in mind? Read more
Inflation is now higher than it has been in more than three decades. Matt Burgess and Oliver Hartwich join Ben Craven to discuss the latest inflation figures. Read more
Oliver Hartwich joins Ben Craven for the final NZ Initiative podcast of 2021. The pair recap the highlights of the past twelve months, look at how the Initiative has influenced policy, and outline plans for 2022. Read more
Oliver Hartwich joins Ben Craven to discuss the government’s proposal for social unemployment insurance, and the lessons New Zealand should heed from Germany’s experience with social security. To listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more