Government is present in most aspects of our lives. It taxes and spends more than a third of our economic output. It employs hundreds of thousands of people. It regulates the way New Zealanders can work, travel, do business, and interact with one another.
Our research focuses on the how the will of Parliament interacts with society, whether legislation is fit for purpose, and whether certain policy settings can be improved.
For examples of our work in this field, read our report on government efficiency Fit for Purpose? (2018), our recommendations for regulatory reform, or Reducing Unnecessary Regulatory Costs(2015).
The Initiative has followed Covid policy closely since early 2020. We have published several reports and briefing notes on Covid policy; that work has included discussion of Covid testing and policy related to it. Read more
Until August 2021, New Zealand laudably maintained elimination. Elimination was fragile. Read more
Closing his 2020 Budget speech, Finance Minister Grant Robertson looked back to the First and Fourth Labour governments for lessons on how to tackle New Zealand’s current economic challenges. His first history lesson was that the way forward today lay in the “great traditions of the First Labour Government” (1935–49) that “rebuilt New Zealand after the Great Depression” under Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage. Read more
The New Zealand Initiative supports the government’s emissions targets, including commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement and to net zero emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases from 2050. We consider the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (“ETS”) is among the world’s leading cap-and-trade systems for reducing greenhouse gases. Read more
This submission in response to the Commerce Commission’s (Commission) Market study into the retail grocery sector draft report, is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. In combination, our members employ more than 150,000 people. Read more
Eric Crampton told Heather Du Plessis-Alan on Newstalk ZB that vaccinated people should get hospital priority. New Zealand only has 183 ICU beds, so cases will be dealt with based on urgent need. Read more
The government’s Budgets in 2020 and 2021 arguably breached the Public Finance Act 1989. This is a serious concern. Read more
Last week, the government unveiled the first draft of its plan for how this country will lower emissions over the coming decades. The Emissions Reduction Plan lacks specifics but signals intent. Read more
Those of us whose families are far away across wide oceans found a bit of hope this week. Entering New Zealand will really be rather simple. Read more
As American lawyer and politician Gideon J. Tucker put it, “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” Tucker’s law generally holds true, but there are rare exceptions. Read more
