Public policy should, at the very least, make sense – economically, politically, environmentally or morally to name just a few credible reasons. However, Premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett’s decision to enact a catch-and-kill shark culling policy seems to contradict well-grounded judgement no matter which perspective it is viewed from. Read more
Before becoming Foreign Secretary in the British government, William Hague was one of the most sought-after celebrities on the speaking circuit. That was not least due to his wit and sense of humour. Read more
The start of this year's election race has seen politicians accused left, right, and centre of bribing their electorates. John Key was first off the mark with his super teacher policy. Read more
Openness to the rest of the world through trade and capital is key to the prosperity of nations. Merchandise world trade has grown much faster than world GDP since 1980, but not as fast as global foreign direct investment (FDI). Read more
Teachers are our most important educational asset – the single biggest influence on student achievement in schools. Teaching must become a profession of status so that New Zealand can attract the best and brightest and keep them, and ensure that teachers are always improving their practice to lift student achievement. Read more
Wellington (31 January 2014): New Zealand’s relative attractiveness as an investment destination has slumped in the last 10-15 years according to Capital Doldrums: How Globalisation is Bypassing New Zealand, a report released by The New Zealand Initiative. Done well, foreign direct investment (FDI) creates jobs, usefully supplements domestic savings and further enhances the host country’s competitiveness by introducing leading-edge technologies, management expertise and access to overseas markets and expertise. Read more
In the Prime Minister’s recent State of the Nation speech that marked the starting line of this year’s election race, John Key’s major announcement was a $360m package, over four years, to build four new teacher roles. A policy that has seen widespread support across the education sector and among the public, it would see the promotion of 6,000 teachers in a workforce of 50,000. Read more
When the Prime Minister delivered his State of the Nation speech last week, the ideas on education reform were bold and substantial. Even the teachers’ unions, not the government’s most natural ally, were impressed. Read more
Coming up with careful policy in an election year is a bit like turning up to Mardi Gras in a business suit. After all, it is supposed to be a time for political parties to woo the public with their most extravagant and colourful policies. Read more
For a long time, the Bundesbank, Germany’s central bank, has enjoyed a reputation as Europe’s eternal naysayer. Whatever measures were being discussed to save the euro or revive the European economy, the Bundesbank was usually opposed – and increasingly isolated. Read more
Consider this. New Zealand has sound institutional arrangements and according to the OECD, best practice policy settings. Read more
Examining housing affordability in New Zealand can be an engrossing activity involving quantitative research, modelling and fact-based analysis. As such, it is easy to forget how emotionally appealing the cult of the compact city can be. Read more
It was sad to see not one but two Interislander ferries docked in Wellington Harbour last weekend. But should that really make it a political issue? Read more
Wellington (23 January 2014): The New Zealand Initiative has welcomed the introduction of a four new tiers of teaching positions as a huge step toward lifting the educational performance of New Zealand’s schools. The think tank has long been a strong advocate for such a policy, which was announced by Prime Minister John Key today as part of his State of the Nation address. Read more