This report was written by Credit Suisse First Boston at the request of the New Zealand Business Roundtable and the New Zealand Food & Beverage Exporters’ Council Inc. These organisations were motivated to commission the report because of the high costs imposed on industry by health, safety and environmental regulations. Read more
This paper discusses the regulation of telecommunications in New Zealand in the context of New Zealand's economic reforms in general and its antitrust regulation in particular. Chapter two comments briefly on New Zealand's economy-wide reforms to date and looks in a little more detail at the broad reform issues ahead. Read more
The discussion document highlights certain disquieting aspects of New Zealand society, including a high and growing rate of dependency on welfare benefits among working-age people, a high level of families at risk, high levels of sole parenthood, disturbing rates of child abuse and neglect, and low levels of educational achievement of many children. Read more
Waitangi, Morality and Reality aims to set the work of the Waitangi Tribunal, along with wider issues of ethnic relations in New Zealand, in a broader perspective than the viewpoint of the actual participants, who are, of course, the entire population of the country. My argument will not appeal to all; indeed, it may not appeal to anyone, but I have tried to open up some of its less obvious dimensions for examination and discussion. Read more
The NZBR agrees that heritage management is in need of review. Current policies appear to lack a sound rationale. Read more
This submission comments on the Discussion Document. The NZBR does not believe that the Discussion Document makes a convincing case for increasing penalties for breaches of the Commerce Act. Read more
It is accepted by policy makers and commentators in New Zealand that the trend towards increased reliance on income support by persons of working age is an undesirable one. There is less agreement about why the problem has arisen and what should be done to remedy the situation. Read more
Efficient capital markets lie at the heart of the private enterprise system. Their regulation, including the role and effectiveness of regulatory agencies, is a significant public policy issue. Read more
In our view, the economic strategy unveiled in the 1998 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) is risky to the point of imprudence. It is putting the fiscal position, the country's credit rating and the economy at risk. Read more
The NZBR believes that substantial efficiency gains can be achieved by reforming the management of the roading system. It has therefore supported the work on these issues undertaken by the government. Read more
Many factors influence the effectiveness of government institutions in achieving desirable results in conservation. Consistent with its former traditions in other areas, New Zealand has used command and control approaches to conservation rather than approaches that rely more on private property rights, markets and prices. Read more
The review of tertiary education provides an opportunity to advance policy affecting an important sector of the economy. The government should only intervene where the benefits from doing so exceed the costs. Read more
The NZBR believes membership of students associations should be voluntary and supports the general thrust of the bill. We do not wish to comment on its detailed provisions. Read more
The NZBR welcomes the review of holidays legislation. The current legislation is a source of inconvenience and cost to employers and employees. Read more
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is my very pleasant duty to welcome you here this evening on behalf of the New Zealand Business Roundtable. Read more