Last year’s cannabis referendum failed by a 51% to 49% margin. Drug reform advocates have since suggested decriminalising drug possession as alternative. Read more
We all wish Helen Clark a long life. At the same time, that prospect makes us nervous. Read more
Matt Burgess talks to Oliver Hartwich about his latest Herald column about the new political role central banks play. 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
The government faces increasing debt levels if it does not get the cost of an aging population under control. Eric Crampton talks to Wallace Chapman on Radio NZ - The Panel about Treasury's projections and whether the superannuation age should be raised. Read more
By the end of the year, all going well, everyone in New Zealand who wants to be vaccinated against Covid-19 will be vaccinated against Covid-19. All of the developed world barring Australia is rolling out vaccination more quickly than New Zealand. Read more
Once upon a time, central bankers did not tweet. And not just because there was no Twitter. Read more
Oliver Hartwich talks about voting and decision making with Lynn Freeman on Radio NZ Smart Talk at the Wanaka 2021 Festival of Color.
Read more
Senior fellow David Law discusses changes to Kiwisaver with Oliver Hartwich. 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
In recent months there have been a few changes to KiwiSaver with more under consideration. But those who are inclined to tinker with the scheme should be looking at the evidence on its efficacy and thinking about whether any changes are consistent with its objective – to help those with a savings problem save more for their retirement. Read more
Senior economist Matt Burgess discusses New Zealand’s agricultural emissions. 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
Humans are fallible creatures. We make mistakes. Read more
This week, Environment Minister David Parker released his draft Natural and Built Environments bill. It is the first of three pieces of legislation to replace the Resource Management Act. Read more
At least the old Cold War made for better entertainment. Exchanges of captured spies at dusk at Berlin’s Glienicke Bridge. Read more
To maximise wellbeing, important public policies and programmes must work. They should be rigorously evaluated to ensure that they have the intended effect, are efficient, and meet their objectives. Read more
Last week’s post-Covid fiscal and monetary policy workshop, hosted jointly by the Reserve Bank and Treasury, seemed designed to warm the policy economics community to higher levels of public debt. While low interest rates mean investment projects that might not normally make the grade can now stack up, stacking up debt builds its own fragility. Read more