If one word could sum up 2024, “sobering” might be it. This week’s final economic data for the year – from Treasury’s half-year update to yesterday’s GDP numbers – reads like the opposite of a Christmas wish list. Read more
In this episode, Oliver, Eric and Michael reflect on New Zealand's key policy achievements in 2024, including education reform, housing policy changes, and foreign direct investment liberalisation, while discussing the significant economic challenges facing the country. They explore Ireland's successful foreign investment strategy, necessary reforms to address structural deficits, and New Zealand's position in international trade, ending with optimism about education improvements planned for 2025. Read more
Dr Michael Johnston talks to Heather du Plessis Allan on Newstalk ZB about new government legislation requiring universities to adopt freedom of speech statements and preventing them from taking positions on issues outside their core functions. Dr Johnston says while universities already have free speech obligations, the new legislation will provide needed complaints procedures and could help address what he sees as cultural problems in universities, though it isn't a complete solution. Read more
In this episode, Eric talks to Chief Derek Epp of the Ch'iyáqtel (Tzeachten) First Nation about how his community gained extensive autonomy through Canada's First Nations fiscal institutions, enabling them to control their own zoning, development, and taxation. Chief Epp explains how this framework helped his 750-member band transform from 90% federal dependency to 90% own-source revenue, manage 900 acres serving thousands of non-indigenous residents, restore traditional practices like fish weirs, and become a valued development partner to neighbouring municipalities. Read more
Academic freedom is a hot topic at the moment. The coalition agreement required universities to have academic freedom policies to receive government funding. Read more
The New Zealand Treasury's latest forecasts and the Government's Budget Policy Statement (BPS) are disquieting. Public debt management looks lax and possibly illegal, government spending entrenches excess rather than tackles it, and productivity growth measures are welcome but piecemeal. Read more
One week after the American election, Trump-advisor Elon Musk tweeted a 2023 video outlining Trump’s plans for higher education. Trump is erratic. Read more
Dr Bryce Wilkinson talks to Heather du Plessis Allan on Newstalk ZB about the Treasury's half-year economic update, expressing concern about a delayed return to budget surplus and advocating for reduced government spending, which is currently running about 2% of GDP higher than pre-COVID levels. Listen below. Read more
Here is a simple business scenario: You operate ferries across Cook Strait, between New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Your vessels are ageing and need replacement. Read more
Imagine being part of a conservation society devoted to eradicating intrusive exotic animal pests. This year, the society will work in a large range where rabbits are ruining the hillsides, plentiful possums have been eating everything, and someone thinks they might have seen a wallaby. Read more
Nick Clark talks about his latest report urging for local government reform. Listen below. Read more
When Javier Milei was elected president of Argentina in December 2023, the world’s media competed to paint the darkest picture possible. The Guardian warned of “a victory that would undo 40 years of democracy.” The Nation warned of “Argentina’s Chainsaw Massacre.” Deutsche Welle declared Argentina would become “isolated in terms of foreign policy.” Curiously, many of these voices keep urging us to give socialism just one more chance. Read more
This week, the Treasury barred representatives from the Council of Trade Unions and the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union from attending its restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. They had been invited to register their intent to attend the briefing. Read more
New Zealand's local government is facing a crisis of democracy, but international examples show a way forward. This is the key message from my report, Making Local Government Work, released by the New Zealand Initiative this week. Read more
A crucial discussion about transforming our local government system. The New Zealand Initiative’s new research reveals why councils struggle to deliver for their communities - and more importantly, how this can be fixed. Read more