One decent policy rule is never to make the perfect the enemy of the good, but to always keep the perfect in mind anyway. But sometimes there really is the chance to aim for the perfect. Read more
Any cat owner will tell you that cats are magnificent and regal creatures, descended from royalty and that they deserve to be treated like nothing less. Those cat owners are, of course, deluded. Read more
The New Zealand Initiative says Phil Twyford’s infrastructure bonds are a workable policy that could solve the funding problem that is choking off housing supply in New Zealand’s fastest growing cities. The Housing Spokesman for the Labour Party recently announced a policy that would allow homeowners to pay off the core infrastructure over the life of the asset using bond financing. Read more
2016 was another successful year for The New Zealand Initiative. This Annual Report summarises our achievements over 2016. Read more
Ali Mau on 'Drive' was joined by Dr Eric Crampton, head of research from New Zealand Initiative and Richard Wagstaff, CTU President to talk tax cuts. Are they a good idea? Read more
If you are familiar with British popular history, you may recall this incident from the winter of 1991. A severe weather system had crippled British Rail’s services, despite the company’s claimed best preparations for snow and ice. Read more
You have to feel sorry for Prime Minister Bill English. Though he inherited a largely positive legacy from his predecessor, his young premiership is also saddled with the two large failures of the Key era: our out-of-control housing market and Key’s refusal to deal with NZ Super. Read more
According to Oscar Wilde, “religion is like a blind man looking in a black room for a black cat that isn’t there, and finding it”. Well, in a way that is almost the definition of teacher quality. Read more
Official Briefings for Incoming Ministers should be worth reading. For a start, they should brief the new Minister about current issues and priorities. Read more
Is it really economic good sense for the goverment to sponsor golf tournaments? The New Zealand Initiative's Head of Research Dr Eric Crampton chats with Jim Mora on Radio New Zealand's 'The Panel'. Read more
Morning Report put together a panel of under 45s to talk about National's new policy to increase the age of entitlement for the pension from 65 to 67.
On the panel: Maori political commentator Morgan Godfrey (25), political blogger and director at Piko Consulting Stephanie Rodgers (33) and Head of Research at The New Zealand Initiative Dr Eric Crampton (41) share their thoughts on the announcement,
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Contrary to media reports, a new study by policy thinktank the NZ Initiative does not recommend performance pay for high achieving teachers, says its author Martine Udahemuka. But still, she asks, shouldn’t parents and educators at least be having the conversation? Read more
If migrants are generally good for New Zealand and already contribute substantially to the public purse, why on earth would The New Zealand Initiative have suggested a levy on new migrants? The Initiative’s report on immigration, The New New Zealanders: Why migrants make good Kiwis, finds that New Zealand’s current immigration system is broadly successful but some tweaks could be worth considering. Read more
What I really love about the rest of the world is that as it gets crazier, we stay the same sane. Or at least mostly so. Read more
This week brought furore over the thirteen thousand (or so) youths neither in education, employment or training. Employers complained of difficulty finding suitable candidates who can pass a drug test. Read more