I’m a fan of prizes for rewarding innovation. Prizes motivate. Read more
Dr. Oliver Hartwich provides brief commentary on what the next government should do, in light of The New Zealand Initiative's report released today. Read more
As the nation prepares to vote on 14 October, the sentiment across New Zealand is one of frustration and concern. Skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, strained healthcare, and a growing educational gap are the voices of a country looking for change. Read more
Transport policy in New Zealand increasingly resembles an episode of Utopia, the Australian comedy series that lampoons a government agency responsible for large infrastructure projects. In one memorable episode, the hapless bureaucrats in the Nation Building Authority are instructed by a political staffer to investigate the feasibility of a “very fast train” connecting Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane despite reams of evidence suggesting it is a terrible idea. Read more
Wellington (Thursday, 24 August 2023) - As the nation prepares to vote on 14 October, the sentiment across New Zealand is one of frustration and concern. Skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, strained healthcare, and a growing educational gap are the voices of a country looking for change. Read more
If everything had gone according to plan, this column would have been about the visit of the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, to New Zealand. That would have been appropriate as German ministers do not make it to this part of the world too often. Read more
Join Phil Barry and Eric Crampton in this podcast as they delve into New Zealand's proposed tobacco policies. Together, they analyse the government's efforts to reduce smoking rates, particularly through Very Low Nicotine Content (VLNC) cigarettes. Read more
Shakedown rackets are, thankfully, illegal. Except when government legislates them. Read more
In 1989, the Lange government implemented the Tomorrow’s Schools reforms. The old Department of Education was replaced by a new agency, the – initially – much leaner Ministry of Education. Schools became self-governing. Read more
Why does so much of the world speak English? As someone who was born in Canada, educated in the UK and US, and has now been living in New Zealand for more than a decade, the question has always fascinated me. Read more
Ingredients: 1 cup contradiction (finely chopped) 500 grams of voter polling (preferably gullible) 2 tablespoons of economic nonsense (no substitutes) A generous pinch of legal complexity A dash of ambiguity (to taste) A sprinkling of international tax quirks A heaped spoonful of political expediency Preparation: 1. Start with the contradictions: Begin by asserting that the policy will help low-income families. Read more
Election years rarely see the best economic policy ideas. It is easy enough to understand why. Read more
Radio New Zealand's 'The Detail' podcast mentions Oliver Hartwich's column ons GST in The Australian. Listen here. Read more
In New Zealand’s public policy circles these days, you cannot escape the buzz about Ireland. Whether in the corridors of power, at business gatherings, or even casual coffee catch-ups, Ireland is the talk of the town. Read more
On his breakfast show on NewstalkZB, Mike Hosking talked about the Government's drive towards 100% renewable electricity. He mentioned the Initiative's work in this area. Read more