Among the problems leading to the Government’s proposed Three Waters reforms were councils loading up their balance sheets with dubious debt. So it seems odd that the Government plans on loading up the balance sheets of amalgamated water service entities with dubious debt. Read more
This supplementary submission in response to the Emissions Reduction Plan is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. It should be read in conjunction with our initial submission of 27 June 2022. Read more
We mourn the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her reign was extraordinary. Read more
Every New Zealander has a stake in the performance of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. As we have seen this year, if the Bank gets monetary policy settings wrong, it can trigger inflation, pushing up the cost of living and causing stress for consumers and businesses alike. Read more
There are some worryingly low pass results in a NCEA literacy and numeracy trial. Year 10 students have trialled the test, which will be made compulsory for year 11 students in 2024. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton interviews Client Service Lead for Milestone Solutions, Scott Wilson, in this follow up interview to their discussion about transport funding and getting roads built. In this episode they talk about the history of how New Zealand funded and financed roads, and the structures of getting roads approved. Read more
The Free Speech Union recently published a report grading each of New Zealand’s eight universities on its record of upholding academic freedom. But why should anyone outside universities care? Read more
Mike Hosking from Newstalk ZB reviews Eric Crampton's recent Dominion Post article about excessive government. Read more
I have a good relationship with my parents. However, when the subject of visiting them for Christmas came up, their answer was: “You’d better not come!” In every respect, Germany is expecting a miserable winter. Read more
Eric Crampton, Chief Economist from The New Zealand Initiative speaks with Sean Plunket on if the NZ Government needs to be checked.
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Joseph Heller invented one of literature’s better paradoxes. In his classic World War II novel, Catch-22, only a madman would be willing to fly nearly suicidal missions. Read more
The New Zealand Initiative has been a trenchant critic of the way literacy is currently taught in New Zealand’s schools. The Ministry of Education has, for far too long, promoted manifestly ineffective approaches. Read more
Like a slowly downloading webpage, is a whole-of-government strategy to solve the interminable housing crisis starting to take shape? Recent reports predict house prices nationwide could fall from their late 2021 peaks by up to 20%. Read more
Accurate diagnosis is vital in medicine. Patients want better outcomes. Read more
If a workplace relations system requires armies of HR people and lawyers to work, it is too complicated. At least that was the conclusion, jointly reached by the ACTU and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, with the support of the Albanese government. Read more