Last Friday, Treasury “pro-actively” published its November 2023 Briefings for the Incoming Government. One was on the economic and fiscal context. Read more
Despite initial hopes that New Zealand would align itself with the trilateral strategic partnership between the US, the UK and Australia (AUKUS), New Zealand recently shut down any suggestion that this was a possibility. Whilst this may come as a surprise to New Zealand’s traditional allies, the reason for this is simple: New Zealand is too dependent on Chinese trade to risk jeopardising its relationship with the world’s 2nd largest economy. Read more
In a welcome development, Winston Peters and Judith Collins flew to Australia last week to discuss joint foreign policy concerns. The purpose of their trip was to meet with their Australian foreign and defence minister counterparts. Read more
The way New Zealand’s councils decide whether they have zoned sufficient land for development makes it hard to zone sufficient land for development. The problem is not any specific analysis. Read more
In this episode, Oliver had a unique discussion with marine scientist Dr Regina Eisert via Starlink en route from Antarctica to NZ. They talk about Regina's experience in Antarctica as well as biological and research links between NZ and Antarctica, NZ research funding and who gets to go to Scott Base, NZ's Antarctic research station. Read more
In a previous column I discussed the precarious state of European security in light of the rising threat of Russia and the potential decline of US involvement (Europe’s precarious security could invite Putin to expand war, 26 January 2024). Today, I will analyse a potential way for Europe to organise its own security: the development of a European nuclear shield. Read more
For those of you who aren’t residents of Wellington’s coffee-infused bubble, you may not be aware that we’re on the brink of yet another local election. Political nerds around the world have rejoiced at the prospect of the Lambton General Ward by-election – a name as enticing as it is short. Read more
The Ardern Government was New Zealand’s most censorious in living memory. Following Brenton Tarrant’s murderous rampage through two Christchurch mosques in March 2019, Ardern set out on an anti-free speech path. Read more
Our Research Fellow Max Salmon talks to our Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich about our current global foreign policy situation. They talk about the Middle East, such as the shipping through the Red Sea and the Houthi movement. Read more
James Shaw announced his resignation as co-leader of the Green Party earlier this week. Although retirement was not announced, one assumes it cannot be too far away. Read more
If a council’s zoning plans are wrong, it is hard for anything else to be right. If building enough housing in places where people want to live is forbidden, housing will be scarce, rents and house prices will be too high, and every other ‘wellbeing’ that councils try to deliver will suffer. Read more
On Newstalk ZB, John MacDonald discussed Dr Bryce Wilkinson's NZ Herald article Increased working-age welfare dependency is a problem with callers. Listen John talk about it below. Read more
New Zealand’s welfare system is a problem for beneficiaries, taxpayers and others. Think of those affected by the reported problems in Rotorua from emergency housing in motels. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich talks to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB and says that the Reserve Bank's policy to reduce inflation needs to be in line with government fiscal policy. Listen below. Read more
I would not usually devote a column for The Australian to problems with a New Zealand local council. Nevertheless, the city in question is the capital, so I will make an exception. Read more