It’s funny how times change. In 2019, Labour announced its first ‘wellbeing’ budget. Read more
If Guyon Espiner at Radio New Zealand is right about Associate Health Minister Casey Costello’s plans for tobacco policy, there is reason to celebrate. At least for those who care about harm reduction, proportionality, and civil liberties. Read more
Half a world away from New Zealand in the Red Sea, a small group is making a big splash in international relations theory and philosophy. The Houthis, already well known for their stunning flag design talents and progressive stance on ageist restrictions to military service, have awed the intellectual community once again. Read more
Wellington City Council’s current leaking water woes epitomise the misplaced spending priorities of successive councils. Wellingtonians now face water rationing in their homes while they see vast quantities of leaked piped water escaping down streets and across pavements. Read more
The Government’s decision to deploy defence force personnel to the Middle East marks a significant, yet reasonable, shift in its foreign policy. Far from undermining our long-held independence stance, this move reaffirms New Zealand’s commitment to democratic values and global security. Read more
Happy new years do not start like this. The first few weeks of 2024 served as a reminder that the geopolitical situation is at its most dangerous in decades. Read more
The New Year always brings the promise of a new beginning. But it also confronts us with last year’s headaches. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton is interviewed by Ali Jones and Ian Powell on RNZ's The Panel about Wellington Water issues and talk about a volumetric user pays model. Listen here (Eric's interview starts at the 11:30 mark). Read more
Insights 47 / 15 December: | A year of new beginnings Insights 46 / 8 December: | Daunting task ahead | Fuel tax alternative | Risk of lift in literacy Insights 45 / 1 December: | Radical or conservative? | Regulatory Standards Act | Dutch courage Insights 44 / 24 November: | Initiative applauds new coalition | Class Divides | Utopia Insights 43 / 17 November: | Reform or transform? Read more
Dr Michael Johnston about the new NCEA certificate requirements and NZ students' low pass rates on RNZ. Listen below. Read more
Thank goodness New Zealand has an Auditor-General who takes his official responsibilities seriously. Last week, he released a damning assessment of recent ministerial processes for making funding decisions on two major infrastructure investment programmes. Read more
Wellington (Wednesday, 20 December 2023) - “Treasury’s updated fiscal and economic forecasts released today confirm that this government faces serious fiscal challenges”, said Dr Bryce Wilkinson, Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Initiative. “The Minister of Finance’s “mini-budget” statement shows she fully ‘gets it’.” “Taxpayers and the recipients of government spending cannot all expect to avoid the burden of those challenges”. Read more
Wellington (Tuesday, 19 December 2023) – The New Zealand Initiative proudly announces the appointment of its Senior Fellow, Dr Michael Johnston, as the Chair of the Government’s newly established Ministerial Advisory Group to review the primary school English, maths and statistics curricula in New Zealand. Dr Johnston is a cognitive psychologist with an extensive background in the education sector. Read more
Minister of Education Hon Erica Stanford talks about Dr Michael Johnston and the newly formed Ministerial Advisory Group to review education curriculum and the common practice model during Question Time in Parliament. Watch below. Read more
Mike Hosking talks to Dr Oliver Hartwich about the recent fall in GDP, as the economy shrank 0.3 per cent compared to the June 2023 quarter. Listen below. Read more