A message of hope for smokers
A few weeks ago, I wrote in Insights that public health policy works in mysterious ways. I stand by that statement. Read more
18 May, 2018
Invitation to Karl Marx’s 200th Birthday Bonanza
The candles have barely dimmed since his last birthday and we’re already celebrating Karl Marx’s 200th birthday, capitalism’s arch-critic. Over the past couple of centuries, capitalism has come to dominate a large part of the Western world. Read more
18 May, 2018
Better fiscal futures
The two most exciting items in this year’s budget barely even made it into the budget tables. Both point toward better fiscal futures. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
18 May, 2018
The price of diplomacy is worth paying
Government spending decisions can be popular or unpopular; they can be justified and unjustified. We all like to criticise the government for unjustified spending to increase its popularity. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
18 May, 2018
Media release: New Zealand Initiative welcomes new fiscal watchdog
Wellington (17 May 2018): The New Zealand Initiative applauds today’s Budget 2018 announcement of an independent fiscal institution. Associate Finance Minister James Shaw announced a new independent body to assess government forecasts and cost political party election promises. Read more
17 May, 2018
Eric Crampton discusses Budget 2018
Eric Crampton discusses Budget 2018 with Andrew Dickens. He says there are not many surprises, but he does find a few risks. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
17 May, 2018
Budget: The good, the bad and the risky
The best thing about budgets in New Zealand is that they are just a little bit boring. Our fiscal conventions ensure big changes are telegraphed well in advance. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
17 May, 2018
American legalisation lessons
There is a lot to be said for America’s federal structure. Fifty different states each trying different things not only lets policy better suit local preferences, but also helps researchers figure out the effects of different policies. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
16 May, 2018
Smoke and Vapour: the changing world of tobacco harm reduction
Tobacco policy in New Zealand has traditionally neglected the needs of smokers. The good news is that youth uptake of smoking has significantly declined. Read more
11 May, 2018
Media release: Smokers deserve better options to help them quit
Wellington (10 May 2018): Youth uptake of smoking is declining, but more support is needed to help current smokers quit. A new report Smoke and Vapour: the changing world of tobacco harm reduction released by think tank The New Zealand Initiative describes the way e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery products can contribute to tobacco harm reduction. Read more
11 May, 2018
Jenesa Jeram discusses Smoke & Vapour on TVNZ's Breakfast
Research Fellow Jenesa Jeram introduces on TVNZ Breakfast her new report Smoke and Vapour in which she looks into the changing world of tobacco harm reduction. Read more
11 May, 2018
Getting the kludge out of the rivers
Kludges are short-term fixes that can patch things over until the main problem can be addressed. If the latch for the rear hatch on your people-mover breaks, a kludge that ties it shut until you can get it to the garage for repairs is just the thing. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
11 May, 2018
Small was beautiful in 1908, gross is great today
Government was vastly smaller in 1908 than now. The tax-and spend state was vastly smaller, but so was the regulatory state. Read more
Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM
11 May, 2018
Baked bean market 'broken' (or at least half-baked)
“Local competition” is among factors cited by dairy owners for wildly varying prices for every-day grocery items like baked beans. The issue came to light in a leaked email from a dairy-owner in the lower North Island to her partner. Read more
Roger Partridge
11 May, 2018
An assault on representative democracy
Otto Wels. That is the name that came to my mind when I read through the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
11 May, 2018