A chronic tendency in many areas of policy in the past in new Zealand was to respond to 'crises' or 'threats' by establishing national 'strategies' or 'plans'. Thus, in the 1970s, concerns about energy supplies led to 'energy plans' and ultimately to the Think Big programme. Read more
Over the past two decades, economic policies across the world, and economic systems with them, have changed their character, their complexion. To an extent that few anticipated before the event, a large and growing array of governments have adopted measures, and in some cases whole programmes, with the intention and the effect of making their economies freer, more open and less regulated: both individually and in concert, they have taken the path of economic reform. Read more
In the NZBR's view the Coalition government's 1997 and 1998 budgets were risky to the point of imprudence. The Asian crisis has merely served to expose dramatically the underlying weaknesses in fiscal and growth strategies adopted during the last and current parliamentary terms. The present weak and unbalanced state of the New Zealand economy (with a large current account deficit) owes much to inadequate fiscal discipline. Read more
The analysis in the Paper fails to distinguish between profits that arise from successful cost cutting, investment and innovation and profits that arise from the abuse of a monopoly position. Read more
Supporters of big government and the welfare state regulary accuse their opponents of lacking 'compassion'. But how much have they thought about what compassion really involves? Read more
There is no summary available. Read more
Dr Green's proposals for reform to welfare, health, education and retirement income policies in New Zealand (From Welfare State to Civil Society (1996)) are reviewed by a combination of friendly and hostile critics. This collection of reviews contributes to the continuing debate about social policy. Read more
The NZBR fully supports a policy of user charges for government-provided goods and services where purchases are voluntary, supply is subject to competition and the government chooses not to privatise the government provider. As long as supply is on a competitively neutral basis, such user charges can be thought of as a price that tracks marginal cost and reflects marginal user valuations. Read more
The main features of the bill are summarised in the appendix to this submission. The explanatory notes to the bill assert that energy efficiency measures are the least-cost way that New Zealand can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Read more
As an engineer by training, I confirm the wisdom of the saying that when you are in a hole you should stop digging. That is the first step towards formulating a sensible plan for getting out. Read more
This study provides additional reasons why the government should avoid delay in implementing its decision to remove the statutory backing of producer boards. Previous work sponsored by the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR) on the consequences of granting export monopolies to producer boards has pointed to inefficiencies associated with the exclusion of competition in export marketing. Read more
The NZBR welcome the key reform set out in the Bill. Opening up the Employers' Account to competition is a step in the direction that the NZBR has advocated since 1987. Read more
In broad terms the argument for raising the adult and youth statutory minimum wage rates is that it would increase the incomes of low-wage employees and produce a fairer distribution of income. People higher up the wage scale may also enjoy smaller wage gains as a consequence of increased demand for substitutes for low-productivity labour. Read more
Focusing on accidents that involve bodily injury, the authors recommend far-reaching reform of New Zealand's accident insurance arrangements. The report deals with insurance market issues, including compensation of the injured and rehabilitation, and puts the case for abandoning state monopoly provision. Read more