A disclosure: I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. Indeed, I abhor the smell of tobacco and pestered my parents into giving up smoking when I was child. Read more
All of Europe is an economic disaster zone. All of Europe? Read more
A record 53,900 kiwis chose it as their home last year, its wages are a third higher and its resources boom is the envy of the world. Australia truly seems like the lucky country. Read more
The new governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Graeme Wheeler, just signed a slightly revised policy target agreement with a greater focus on financial stability, but for some this is not going far enough. A curious coalition of exporters, newspaper commentators, Labour, the Green Party, and New Zealand First wants the RBNZ to relinquish its traditional focus on inflation. Read more
Australia’s economic prosperity has been luring Kiwis across the ditch for years. After a talk this week at The New Zealand Initiative by The Australian newspaper’s economic correspondent, Adam Creighton, it is beginning to become clear why. Read more
This past week there has been much speculation about the Lobbying Disclosure Bill put forward by Green MP Holly Walker. The bill has come under criticism for being poorly drafted and far too broad in scope. Read more
After three years of the euro crisis, it is surprising how announcements still impress markets. The approval of the European Stability Mechanism by the German constitutional court and the plans of the European Central Bank to purchase unlimited quantities of government debt were enough to calm the markets and reduce yields on euro periphery debt. Read more
Partnership schools (kura hurua) have become a topic of intense political debate in what appears to be a case of those shouting the loudest being heard the most. The criticisms are many and varied – and unavoidable on both radio and TV. Read more
It’s almost fifty years since Donald Horne published his book ‘the Lucky Country’ in 1964. For most Australians the phrase has become a reminder of Australia’s natural beauty, its isolation from wars and the country’s substantial wealth as well. Read more
Last week a lucky Lotto player won $27 million. All the attention the game has been receiving recently makes this a good time to ask why it is still run by the state? Read more
When Germany’s Constitutional Court cleared the path for the European Stability Mechanism and the Fiscal Compact, markets and governments joined in a collective sigh of relief. With the last legal hurdle cleared, the €700 billion fund to stabilise Europe’s monetary union, rescue over-indebted governments and struggling banks could be established and the euro saved. Read more
For the past two weeks, I have been attending conferences in Europe. Following the general meeting of the Mont Pelerin Society in Prague, I spoke at the European Resource Bank in Brussels. Read more
New Zealanders often face calls for an Australian-style compulsory superannuation scheme that would expand Kiwisaver by making it compulsory. This is a multi-faceted issue and is worth reflecting on, particularly the political economy aspect. Read more
Visitors to the EU quarter in Brussels are currently greeted by a giant poster on the faade of the Berlaymont building, the EU’s head office. Proclaiming more economic and political union for the EU, it stands in marked contrast to the constant signs of disunion and conflict on display across Europe. Read more
An economist ponders the deep questions. Being an economist is tough. Read more