Economic policy

New Zealand has a successful economy. International rankings regularly put us near the top for competitiveness, economic freedom, and ease of doing business.

At the same time, New Zealand’s per capita incomes trail those of other developed countries. Our productivity growth is anaemic. Our ability to attract high-quality international investment is limited and constrained.

New Zealand cannot rest on the laurels of past reforms. We must continue to improve our economic policy settings.

The New Zealand Initiative’s research includes analysis of regulatory and fiscal policy. We explore how incentives can promote economic development, and we investigate the social effects of economic policy.

Our research as also warned of the perils of loose monetary policy and detailed how central banks have increasingly become occupied with non-core business.

Cover with outline v2

Featured Publication

Publications

Opinion & Media

Prescription Cover Clean with outline

Prescription for Prosperity 2026: Briefing to the Incoming Government

This is The New Zealand Initiative’s 2026 Prescription for Prosperity. Since 2017, the Initiative has prepared a briefing for the incoming government. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
Dr Eric Crampton

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
Nick Clark
View profile
Dr Michael Johnston

044990790

View profile
Roger Partridge

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
Dr Benno Blaschke
View profile
Research Report
27 May, 2026
roger submission

Submission: 2025 Review of Key Capital Settings

1. INTRODUCTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1.1 This submission to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) on its 2025 Review of Bank Capital Requirements (the Review) and accompanying consultation paper (the Consultation paper)1 is made by The New Zealand Initiative, an independent think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. Read more

Roger Partridge

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
Submission
2 October, 2025
Browse more publications

Opinion & Media

Media release: Think tank sets out 235-point policy agenda for a more prosperous New Zealand

Wellington (Wednesday, 27 May 2026) – New Zealand can be a much more prosperous country, and the policy choices needed to get us there are well within reach, says The New Zealand Initiative’s Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich. The Initiative today released Prescription for Prosperity 2026, its fourth briefing to an incoming government. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
Media release
27 May, 2026

Splitting power generators from their retail arms would not cut electricity bills

With energy prices spiking, an old idea has gathered fresh momentum: break up the big electricity companies. New Zealand First put the proposal on its agenda at the party’s State of the Nation address, calling for the four gentailers, companies that both generate and retail power, to be split apart. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
NZ Herald
16 April, 2026

Newstalk ZB: Heather du Plessis-Allan on Dr Bryce Wilkinson's fuel crisis analysis

Heather du Plessis-Allan discussed Dr Bryce Wilkinson's NZ Herald article on Newstalk ZB, drawing on his analysis of the 1970s oil shocks as a cautionary lesson for today's politicians. Dr Wilkinson argues that the government should resist pressure to intervene through price controls, subsidies, or fuel tax cuts, and instead rely on price signals and targeted income relief for the most vulnerable, while leaving risky energy investments to private capital. Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM

+64 4 499 0790

View profile
Heather du Plessis-Allan
Newstalk ZB
26 March, 2026
Browse more opinion and media

Stay in the loop: Subscribe to updates

Search