Electricity’s iron law
Events have rather overtaken last week’s blackout. The outage on the evening of 9 August left 35,000 households in the dark for up to two hours on the coldest night of the year. Read more
20 August, 2021
Coke’s Ronaldo Problem?
The Euro 2020 football tournament will be remembered for the trophy not coming home. But before England fell agonisingly at the last hurdle, the headlines were focused on the actions of Portuguese football superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo. Read more
Steen Videbeck
20 August, 2021
Research Note: What happened on Black Monday?
Last week, on Monday 9 August, very cold weather over most of the country meant national electricity demand reached a record high. About 35,000 consumers (1.75% of consumers) experienced power outages between 7 – 9 pm. Read more
18 August, 2021
Media release: Knee-jerk political reactions unhelpful
Wellington (Wednesday, 18 August 2021): A review of last week’s blackout by Carl Hansen, the former Chief Executive of the Electricity Authority (EA), argues for a sober and careful analysis of why 35,000 consumers lost power for up to two hours on 9 August. In a research paper published today by the New Zealand Initiative, Mr Hansen states “It is essential the Government allows the independent market regulator to identify and address any problems found.” “It is also important the Opposition take a mature approach and resist the temptation to jump to conclusions and call for Ministerial heads to roll.” At 6:48pm, Transpower asked lines companies to reduce demand by 1%, and followed up this request with a formal notice at 7:09pm. Read more
18 August, 2021
The 'Green Paradox' in Government's CentrePort investment
It was a small achievement but one that made climate change minister James Shaw proud. Last week, Wellington’s CentrePort deployed its first seven all-electric container movers. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
17 August, 2021
Political pull critical for scarce MIQ rooms
Something always allocates. When anything is relatively scarce, something has to decide how the scarce thing is used: who gets it, who doesn’t, and what might encourage more of the scarce thing to be provided. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
17 August, 2021
Podcast: What will rising inflation mean for first home buyers?
Ben Craven talks to New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow Dr David Law about the implications of rising inflation, and how a different type of mortgage could make it more affordable to get on the housing ladder. If you would like to listen to our latest podcasts, please subscribe to The New Zealand Initiative podcast on iTunes, Spotify or The Podcast App. Read more
13 August, 2021
The End of the Beginning
There is a lot of distance yet to cover from here to December’s completion of the adult vaccine roll-out – and far more distance still until the pandemic ends. But the government’s announcement this week of the intended path forward was welcome. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
13 August, 2021
A day to reflect on the meaning of freedom
Today is a special anniversary. On this day, 60 years ago, the Berlin Wall was built. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
13 August, 2021
Vegan Wagen
What is the most successful Volkswagen (VW) model? No, it is not the Golf, not the Tiguan and not the all-electric ID.3. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
13 August, 2021
Podcast: Prof Des Gorman on New Zealand’s response to Covid-19
Oliver Hartwich and Eric Crampton talk to University of Auckland’s Professor Des Gorman (Ngāpuhi), from the University’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. The team discuss New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and what could be done differently. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Eric Crampton
12 August, 2021
RMA reform - let's not forget what the real issue is
A Berkeley professor once said that if you are Minister of the Environment, you are eventually Minister of Everything. The professor’s prediction is set to become real if the government’s Natural and Built Environments Act, or “NBA,” passes in anything like its current form. Read more
10 August, 2021
Dictator’s cynical game
Writing this ‘Spotlight on Europe’ column every fortnight is a rare luxury. It allows me to reflect on anything interesting about Europe these days. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
10 August, 2021
The government’s response to blackouts
Eric Crampton and Matt Burgess discuss the thousands of homes hit by blackouts on the coldest night of the year and government’s response to it so far. Decisions should be made only after the facts are established. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
10 August, 2021
Podcast: Why New Zealanders should be worried about the government’s RMA reforms
Matt Burgess talks to Oliver Hartwich about the government’s Natural and Built Environments bill, the first of three pieces of legislation to replace the RMA. The bill shows the government sees planning as an appropriate vehicle for everything from protecting the natural environment, to culture, growth and climate change. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
9 August, 2021