Land transport funding is not in great shape. Minister Bishop’s announcement last week of a shift from petrol excise to road user charges should be the first step toward a much better funding system. Read more
I wonder whether Britain’s new role in the world is to show others what not to do. Their government sets policies that are about as sensible as jumping from high cliffs with neither parachute nor bungee cord. Read more
Those who grew up reading the old Greek myths will be familiar with Cassandra’s curse. Cassandra was a Trojan princess, blessed by the Gods with the gift of true prophecy – she really could see the future. Read more
Last week, Donald Trump slapped a 15% tariff on New Zealand exports. An annual nine billion dollars of our goods will now face higher barriers entering the US market. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton talked to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB about the Treasury report detailing government spending during the COVID-19 period. Dr Crampton highlighted that about half of the spending was not well-targeted and largely wasted, while advocating for the New Zealand Initiative's recommendation of an independent fiscal institution to provide critical advice to Parliament. Read more
On Monday morning, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced that the NCEA assessment and qualification system will be replaced. In 2028, a foundational award in literacy and numeracy will replace NCEA Level 1. Read more
New Zealand ratepayers are being mugged by reality. After a 12 percent rates increase last year, dozens of councils are imposing another round of double-digit hikes. Read more
In this episode, Oliver talks to Adelle Keely, Chief Executive of Acumen, about the Initiative's delegation to the Netherlands. They explore the country's remarkable approach to challenges, uncovering how Dutch culture of collaboration, technological innovation, and pragmatic problem-solving offers profound insights for New Zealand's future development and national thinking. Read more
Correction – 6 August 2025 A previous version of this press statement did not accurately describe how some vehicles, including electric vehicles, already pay Road User Charges (RUC). The statement below is the corrected version. Read more
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This submission to the Inquiry into online harms is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. Read more
When NATO was founded in 1949, Europe and America worked as genuine partners. Sure, the Europeans needed American security guarantees more than Washington needed another military commitment. Read more
In this episode, Oliver Hartwich talks to Michael Johnston about the government’s proposal to replace New Zealand’s National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) after more than two decades. They discuss how the current system, with its fragmented assessments and focus on collecting credits, has weakened learning. Read more
Ever since its progressive implementation between 2002 and 2004, NCEA has been under nearly constant revision. Its first major crisis came in 2005. Read more
Wellington (Monday, 4 August 2025) – The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the Government’s announcement to replace NCEA with a more rigorous qualification system, marking a crucial turning point for New Zealand education. The proposed reforms – including compulsory English and Mathematics at Year 11, structured subject requirements and clearer A-E grading – directly address the fundamental flaws The New Zealand Initiative has identified through years of research. Read more
Minister Chris Bishop delivered an unprecedented message to local government leaders last month. At the LGNZ conference, he declared that New Zealanders question councils’ “licence to lead.” But his speech went further than typical government criticism of local authorities. Read more
