In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Arthur Dent found the Council’s plans to bowl his house, to make way for a bypass, the day before its scheduled demolition. The plans had been publicly consulted, of course. Read more
The Initiative has followed Covid policy closely since early 2020. We have published several reports and briefing notes on Covid policy; that work has included discussion of Covid testing and policy related to it. Read more
There’s an old saying that makes the rounds now and again, with various attributions. “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” I wonder how this one is going to end for Rako Science. Read more
Work is underway to design an unemployment insurance (UI) scheme for New Zealand. Such schemes are compulsory and require contributions from individuals. Read more
As my hometown enters its 19th week of lockdown with no end in sight, it’s easy to feel a bit hard done by. But every pandemic has its silver lining. Read more
How can New Zealand improve its Covid response? Dr Eric Crampton joins Ben Craven to talk about his latest research note Safer Arrivals and the Path to 2022. Read more
"For every economist, there exists an equal and opposite economist." Or so satirists of the economics profession claim. The truth is most economists agree on most of economics. Read more
Matt Burgess joins host Ben Craven to discuss the government’s feebate policy which launches in April 2022. The policy is egregiously regressive. Read more
It has been rather a long time coming. Yesterday, Prime Minister Ardern announced that summer will bring vaccination passport requirements. Read more
Until August 2021, New Zealand laudably maintained elimination. Elimination was fragile. Read more
They say you can’t fight City Hall. And pity the developer who tries. Read more
Last Sunday’s election results in Germany were clear. The Christian Democrats, Angela Merkel’s party, lost heavily. Read more
If you want to know everything about ancient Egypt, read a magazine article about it. If you want to know a little less, read a book. Read more
Wellington (Thursday, 30 September 2021) – The New Zealand Initiative has welcomed today’s announcement from Immigration Minister Hon Kris Faafoi that the government will provide a pathway to residency for migrants currently in New Zealand. In May, The New Zealand Initiative implored the government to rethink their hostile approach to skilled migrants and called for migrants to be given residence. Read more
Parliament, not government, passes legislation. Legislation is law. Read more
