Economist Alex Tabarrok says prices are a signal wrapped in an incentive. Prices tell us about relative scarcity and provide an incentive to conserve on scarce things. Read more
Wellington (29 March 2017): The Productivity Commission’s latest report underscores the importance of a fit-for-purpose planning system, and just how far the current arrangements are from this ideal state, says The New Zealand Initiative. The Better Urban Planning report details how the current planning framework, principally the Resource Management Act 1991, has failed to achieve the economic flexibility and environmental protections it set out to achieve. Read more
Wellington (29 March 2017): Today’s announcement that the Government proposes to legalise nicotine e-cigarettes is welcomed by The New Zealand Initiative. The Initiative’s research into e-cigarettes has found that some public health studies were not only making false scientific claims, but were doing more harm than good by discouraging smokers to make the switch to a less harmful product. Read more
Water, water, everywhere – or so it has seemed. In the past few weeks we have had a deluge of controversies over water. Read more
Before she became British Prime Minister, Theresa May announced that “Brexit means Brexit.” Ever since, we have been wondering what she meant. It is now nine months after the Brexit referendum. Read more
Einstein once said that we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. The thinking behind the management of New Zealand’s recreational fisheries is a case in point. Read more
I’m a fan of classic episodes of The Simpsons. In Cape Feare, Sideshow Bob sneaks a ride under the Simpsons’ car, with murderous intent. Read more
Our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich, joins 1News to discuss John Key's legacy, and areas of public policy that still need improvement. Read more
Former UK Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, Rt Hon Peter Lilley, joined Duncan Garner on The AM Show to talk about the emerging opportunities for New Zealand once the UK exits the European Union. Read more
The New Zealand Productivity Commission’s report on tertiary education shows that the tertiary education system needs fundamental change. An important part of that change is introducing interest on new student loans. Read more
Following the release of the Productivity Commission's report, New Models of Tertiary Education, our Head of Research Dr Eric Crampton spoke to Tim Fookes on Newstalk ZB about why we support the report and why we think tertiary education, and the student loan scheme, are in need of a shake-up.
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Dr Eric Crampton speaks to Larry Williams on Newstalk ZB about the Productivity Commission's new tertiary education report - and why we welcomed the report and their comments on our interest-free student loan scheme.
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If you want to know the real value of recreational fishing, the last place you should look is inside an economic impact assessment. People often make fun of economists for knowing the costs of everything and the value of nothing, but when it comes to economic impact assessments, it’s even worse. Read more
Whenever controversial issues are debated, the loudest voices are often the least informed. Nowhere is this more evident than in the gender pay gap debate. Read more
This week business journalist Bernard Hickey took his pen to the subject of housing, listing the factors that have unintentionally conspired to create New Zealand’s housing affordability crisis. It is a piece worth reading because it offers a glimpse into the complex and intertwined regulations and constraints that prevent the housing market from functioning like every other market. Read more