Classic-era Simpsons episodes may not have had the solutions to all of life’s problems, but they did get a few things right. Be sceptical of monorail salesmen. Read more
New Zealand often reminds me of The Shire, the peaceful abode of the hobbits in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Read more
Misguided good intentions paved the way for this winter’s energy crisis. Fortunately, the country has avoided blackouts. Read more
A short walk from Wellington’s shiny Tākina Convention Centre, a burst water main floods Kent Terrace. This contrast between impressive civic buildings and failing infrastructure captures local government's challenge: finding a balance between ambition, financial responsibility, independence and accountability. Read more
Dr James Kierstead talked to Cam Slater about free speech on Reality Check Radio. Listen here. Read more
A Bargain Chemist in Upper Hutt has been unable to dispense prescriptions since it opened in 2022. Its website simply notes “Prescriptions not currently available”. Read more
In this episode, Michael and Oliver explore the growing support for alternative political parties in former East German states and its potential impact on German federal politics, particularly regarding foreign policy and international relations. They discuss historical and social factors contributing to this trend, while also examining how these changes in Germany could affect global democratic systems and drawing parallels to challenges facing other liberal democracies, including New Zealand. Read more
Captain Williard’s response to Colonel Kurtz’s question about his methods, in Apocalypse Now, is among the most classic lines in cinema. Kurtz, who had clearly gone mad, asked Willard whether Willard saw Kurtz’s methods as unsound. Read more
“We have become a corporate body concerned about brand image in a content marketing world in a climate of cancel culture,” lamented one academic. “I feel my job is at risk if I question the direction the university is taking. Read more
Our Chief Economist Dr Eric Crampton talk to Jack Tame on Q + A about the ETS and the complexities of carbon pricing, emissions reduction strategies, and the balancing act between environmental and economic considerations in New Zealand's climate policy.
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A couple years before the outbreak of the Second World War, the philosopher Karl Popper moved across the world to take up a position at what was then Canterbury College. Popper, who lost no fewer than sixteen family members in the Holocaust, was under no illusions about what would have happened to him had he stayed in Vienna. Read more
Wellington (Thursday, 22 August 2024) - A new survey reveals that local councils across New Zealand want more power to make decisions for their communities, rather than having rules set by the central government in Wellington. The New Zealand Initiative, an independent think tank, surveyed New Zealand's mayors, councillors, and council chief executives. Read more
In this podcast episode, Oliver interviews Max Salmon about the findings of a recent survey of New Zealand local government officials, detailed in his latest research note called "The Pulse of Local Government." The survey reveals that local councils generally desire more autonomy from central government, feel financial pressures from population growth, and support localism, but also highlights some contradictions in their views on amalgamation and their relationship with ratepayers. Read Max Salmon's research note "The Pulse of Local Government" here. Read more
Ever since HSBC’s Paul Bloxham first called New Zealand a “rock star economy” back in 2014, I have been wondering what he had meant. It was not entirely clear, even back then when the economy was doing a lot better. Read more
As localism – the idea that local communities should have more control over decisions that affect them – gains political capital, questions naturally arise: What would localist policies look like? What do councils think about localism? Read more