Wellington, 18 May 2020 - More time for scrutiny of the proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act is needed, particularly when thousands of Kiwi businesses teeter on the edge of bankruptcy. The Government tabled the Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill last Thursday for its first reading on the same day. Read more
On 14 May, the Government introduced an Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill to the House and held its first reading on the same day. It had such little regard for public consultation the deadline for submissions was set for 4 pm on Monday, 18 May – giving submitters only two full working days. Read more
Read our submission, written by Dr Bryce Wilkinson, to the Finance and Expenditure Committee. In summary: On 14 May, the Government introduced an Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill to the House and held its first reading on the same day. Read more
Lifeboats are tricky things. If they are overburdened, they can tip and spill everyone out. Read more
Lawyers and political commentators say New Zealand has gone “too far” in empowering its police force. This speculation must end. Read more
As the Covid-19 crisis evolves towards something like a conclusion, a handful of East Asian countries have been standout examples of how to deal with a pandemic. Taiwan is one of those countries. Read more
A good 2020 Budget would achieve three things. First, it would strengthen the public health response to the pandemic, ensuring that any future outbreaks could be handled through rapid contact tracing, testing and quarantine rather than renewed lockdowns. Read more
Watching Budget 2020 delivered yesterday was a surreal experience. It was two things at once. Read more
In a world infected with a lethal virus, being virus-free is like being bullet proof. The coronavirus may have enveloped the globe, but it has been repelled by New Zealand’s five million-strong force field. Read more
Wellington, 14 May 2020 - Budget 2020 puts the Government firmly in the driver’s seat to get New Zealand through the Covid-19 financial crisis, but it will need more than good intentions to succeed, according to The New Zealand Initiative. The Coalition Government announced the largest spending package in the country’s history, adding $50 billion to the already announced $12.1 billion Covid-19 recovery fund for an enormous total of $62.1 billion, with much of that funding held in reserve in case of future outbreaks. Read more
The government should have two priorities in this budget. First, and most importantly, the health system needs to be ready for the medium to longer term changes that the pandemic has forced on the country. Read more
Wellington, 14 May 2020 - The Government’s proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act will only make it harder for struggling Kiwi businesses to recover after Covid-19 lockdowns, said The New Zealand Initiative. Yesterday, associate finance minister David Parker announced the introduction of a “national interest test” for New Zealand’s strategic assets should they go on the market. Read more
A pre-Budget poll shows the majority of Kiwis favour ‘helicopter money’ with many fearful or uncertain about their immediate futures. Eric Crampton discusses better alternatives for helicopter money, such as extending the student loan scheme to non-students, with Wallace Chapman on Radio NZ's The Panel. Read more
Alongside South Korea, Taiwan is one of the few countries to “flatten the curve” of Covid-19 without a national lockdown due to its prior experience with the SARS epidemic of 2003. New Zealand’s pathway is similar to Taiwan’s and there are lessons to be learned as New Zealand moves into Alert Level 2. Read more
As New Zealand moves towards the 2020 Budget, there is increasing talk about shovel-ready projects, stimulus and building the recovery. It all makes me nervous, probably because I am still spooked by another crisis in another country. Read more