2024 08 30 nz herald website

Localism: NZ needs a better system

A short walk from Wellington’s shiny Tākina Convention Centre, a burst water main floods Kent Terrace. This contrast between impressive civic buildings and failing infrastructure captures local government's challenge: finding a balance between ambition, financial responsibility, independence and accountability. Read more

Nick Clark
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NZ Herald
29 August, 2024
2024 08 30 german podcast Website

Podcast: Germany's political shift and its global impact

In this episode, Michael and Oliver explore the growing support for alternative political parties in former East German states and its potential impact on German federal politics, particularly regarding foreign policy and international relations. They discuss historical and social factors contributing to this trend, while also examining how these changes in Germany could affect global democratic systems and drawing parallels to challenges facing other liberal democracies, including New Zealand. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

+64 4 499 0790

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Dr Michael Johnston

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27 August, 2024

Localism enjoys council support

As localism – the idea that local communities should have more control over decisions that affect them – gains political capital, questions naturally arise: What would localist policies look like? What do councils think about localism? Read more

Insights Newsletter
23 August, 2024

The open academy and its enemies

A couple years before the outbreak of the Second World War, the philosopher Karl Popper moved across the world to take up a position at what was then Canterbury College. Popper, who lost no fewer than sixteen family members in the Holocaust, was under no illusions about what would have happened to him had he stayed in Vienna. Read more

Dr James Kierstead

04 499 0790

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Insights Newsletter
23 August, 2024

Podcast: The Pulse of Local Government: Insights from New Zealand's Councils

In this podcast episode, Oliver interviews Max Salmon about the findings of a recent survey of New Zealand local government officials, detailed in his latest research note called "The Pulse of Local Government." The survey reveals that local councils generally desire more autonomy from central government, feel financial pressures from population growth, and support localism, but also highlights some contradictions in their views on amalgamation and their relationship with ratepayers. Read Max Salmon's research note "The Pulse of Local Government" here. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

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23 August, 2024
Research Note Localism Survey outline

The Pulse of Local Government

A new survey reveals that local councils across New Zealand want more power to make decisions for their communities, rather than having rules set by the central government in Wellington. The New Zealand Initiative, an independent think tank, surveyed New Zealand's mayors, councillors, and council chief executives. Read more

Research Note
23 August, 2024
2024 08 22 NZ Herald website

Localism Enjoys Council Support

New Zealand’s councils want more of a say over local matters. Informed by local knowledge, they believe they can make better choices for their people than the central government in Wellington. Read more

NZ Herald
22 August, 2024

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