New Zealand is not a cheap place to live – for a lot of reasons. We’re far from a lot of major markets, so shipping goods here can be expensive. Read more
Scientific truth is not established by poll results, but scientists’ consensus on scientific issues can tell us a lot. It does not tell us what optimal policy should be – that depends on costs and benefits. Read more
Last week Parliament passed the Education Amendment Bill, creating a new professional body for teachers, Educanz, which replaces the New Zealand Teachers’ Council (NZTC). The secondary teachers’ union president Angela Roberts said “teachers will not take this lying down”. Read more
I borrowed a considerable amount of money from a number of banks to finance my family’s lifestyle which included, overseas holidays, buying a holiday home, a new boat and an aeroplane. Over time, I convinced myself that I was entitled to a lifestyle beyond my income. Read more
Even if you have been closely following the euro crisis, you would still be astonished by recent developments. The dramatic stand-off between the Greek Government and the rest of Europe is something we have not seen before. Read more
The recent announcements by Minister for the Environment Nick Smith that the Resource Management Act (RMA) is set to undergo a major overhaul is welcome news, representing the first meaningful policy change aimed at tackling the housing affordability crisis gripping New Zealand’s biggest cities. Although the detail on the changes has yet to be seen, the direction is promising as the RMA has long served as grit in the gears of the housing market, restricting sub-divisions, slowing the build rate, entrenching NIMBYism, while allowing fast growing councils to use it as an excuse to stall development and growth planning. Read more
For anyone who has recently travelled abroad, the pleasure of coming home to New Zealand is spoilt by an unpleasant observation. We have become one of the most expensive places on earth. Read more
The Christchurch Press has more details on 'courtsiding' at the Cricket World Cup. They're describing the folks placing bets based on up-to-date information at the game, as opposed to those on 15-second TV delay, as "betting cheats". Read more
Wellington has little to gain and a lot to lose by opting for a super-city, argues Oliver Hartwich. New Zealand’s local government units are typically already large by international standards. Read more
There's an old saying that goes ''if you always do what you've always done, then you will always get what you've always got''. While hardly the most enlightening insight of the century, it is advice both major parties in Parliament seem to have taken on board this year. Read more
This column is either four months too late or three months too early, depending on if you are looking at last year’s general election or this year’s government budget announcement. Nevertheless, it is always a fortuitous time to put the spotlight on the corrupt vein running through the heart of every democracy: bribing the public with its own money. Read more
Australian politics always enjoys a reputation for being just a little more vicious than elsewhere. You only need to think of the way in which Abbott’s Labor predecessors Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard fought each other between 2008 and 2014. Read more
Could the Green Party of Aotearoa become an environmental party that was neutral, if not liberal on economic issues? Must it see economic growth and a healthier environment as opposites rather than complements? Read more
With security increasingly on the agenda of politicians, it’s a good time to ask whether New Zealand’s 5-year passport regime is adequate. Last year, the Taxpayers’ Union released an in-depth, comprehensive and well-rounded report prompting debate about the cost of New Zealand’s passports. Read more