Reports & Media

Roger Partridge's report on New Zealand's ministerial portfolios was featured in Newstalk ZB's news bulletin. His research found that New Zealand has 81 ministerial portfolios compared to just 17 in Norway and 16 in Singapore, with The Initiative calling for a culling of ministers and the creation of junior ministerial roles to improve decision-making efficiency. Read more

Wellington (Tuesday, 2 September 2025) - New Zealand has one of the most complex systems of executive government in the developed world. With 81 ministerial portfolios, 28 ministers and 43 departments, we have three times as many portfolios and nearly twice as many departments as comparable countries. Read more

Mike Hosking and Andrew Dickens discussed The New Zealand Initiative's report on public service accountability on Newstalk ZB. Dickens noted that when he interviewed the Public Service Association they were defensive about the report, which prompted listeners to disagree with the PSA's stance (and support the Initiative's findings). Read more

Roger Partridge talked to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB about his latest report calling for a major overhaul of government structure. Partridge argued that New Zealand's complex system of 81 ministerial portfolios across 28 ministers and 43 departments creates fragmented decision-making and higher costs, advocating for consolidation to around 15-20 policy areas and 20 departments similar to other developed countries. Read more

In this episode, Oliver talks to Eric Crampton and Benno Blaschke about the New Zealand government’s supermarket competition reforms, which closely reflect The New Zealand Initiative’s policy framework—a major policy win that saw their research inform the Minister of Finance’s approach. They explain how their practical policy document shifted government thinking away from heavy-handed breakups and toward tackling the real structural barriers in planning and regulation. Read more

In this episode, Oliver talks to James Keirstead about his latest research report "Amazing Grades" which provides the first systematic analysis of grade inflation across all New Zealand universities. They discuss how A-grades have increased by 13 percentage points over two decades, reaching 35% of all grades awarded, and explore potential solutions including statistical moderation systems and national examinations to restore meaningful academic standards. Read more

Roger Partridge talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about Radio New Zealand's recent internal review, which revealed the broadcaster has lost touch with its audience and become complacent since the pandemic. Partridge argued that while the review identified many problems, it failed to address what he sees as the elephant in the room - Radio New Zealand's political and cultural bias that has developed over the past decade. Read more

Wellington (Wednesday, 27 August 2025) – The Government’s supermarket package adopts the right strategy for competition – remove barriers to entry and open the door to investment. That is the core approach The New Zealand Initiative has championed for years, including in a May 2025 research note, A Fast-Track Supermarket Entry and Expansion Omnibus Bill, setting out a rules‑based alternative focused on planning, consenting and overseas investment. Read more