In this submission, we do not undertake a clause-by-clause analysis of the TERB, but identify a number of wider policy reforms that would help achieve the goals being sought by the government through the TERB. Read more
The NZBR does not support the proposed PPL Bill. There are a number of reasons for this, which are discussed in this submission. Read more
A thorough revision of the Local Government Act 1974 (the Act) is warranted. The new act must, however, be based on sound principles. Read more
One of the challenges faced by Australasia – that is, Australia and New Zealand – is the additional costs of doing business with the rest of the developed world, and vice versa. These costs go beyond the obvious – for transport and communications – to the costs of the infrastructure required to service customers and business partners, as well as of tapping global capital markets. Read more
From the viewpoint of New Zealanders' living standards, the most important commitment the government has made is to restore New Zealand to the top half of the OECD income rankings. It has also stated a goal of achieving a 3 percent unemployment rate. Read more
I have come half-way around the world but I feel very much at home, with people who share not only a common language, but so much of my inherited experience. We are the descendents of the common law, of Magna Carta, of David Hume and John Locke. Read more
This collection of speeches, submissions and articles is the seventeenth in a series produced by the New Zealand Business Roundtable. The material in this volume is organised in six sections: economic directions; fiscal policy and the public sector; industry policy and regulation; education and the labour market; social policy and miscellaneous. Read more
We believe that ratification would have far-reaching and harmful implications for economic activity in new Zealand, and for the standards of New Zealanders. It would put the competitiveness of many major industries at risk, yet any environmental benefits arising from the protocol would be barely discernible. Read more
Bryce Wilkinson examines the effects of poor quality laws and regulations on New Zealand society and outlines the case for regulatory reform. His proposals include a governmental review of major regulations and better regulatory analysis and, in the future, a Regulatory Responsibility Act to achieve principled scrutiny of new regulations. Read more
Australia is by far the most important destination for direct investment by New Zealanders. Balance of Payments statistics indicate that Australia accounted for 64 percent of total direct investment abroad by New Zealanders over the last five years (see the attached Appendix). Read more
We have publicly commended the minister for his handling of the winter electricity shortage. Although the government inherited an imperfect market, it was wise to reject calls for further ill-conceived interventions at a time of market disruption. Read more
The NZBR has taken a close interest in Commerce Act issues because of the Commerce Act's pervasive influence on commercial decision making in New Zealand. We presented a submission on the Commerce Amendment Bill to the Commerce Select Committee in July 1999 and this submission should be read in conjunction with the earlier one. Read more
By comparison with some other countries, New Zealand relies heavily on education and health services and retirement income support provided by governments and financed through taxation. Much government education and health expenditure benefits families with moderate to high current incomes. Read more
The serious deficiencies of the Local Government Act 1974 (the Act) are widely recognised. A thorough revision of the Act is warranted. Read more
Why should we care about the size of government? There are many reasons to be concerned, but the most obvious answer is that high levels of government spending and taxation suppress economic performance, which is the basis of material living standards. Read more