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
New Zealand’s healthcare system is facing critical issues of equity, accessibility and financial sustainability.
Health funding often focuses on short-term cost containment rather than long-term investment in service innovations that can improve consumer
participation and independence. A new approach is needed. The ACC model, which effectively incentivises prevention, early diagnosis, and rehabilitation, provides valuable insights. Lengthening the financial horizon for health service funding and encouraging working with other social sector organisations could improve health outcomes.
Health Innovators’ Summit: Inspiring Action for Better Care
In August 2024, we ran a members' event called Health Innovators’ Summit, an event bringing together politicians, members of The New Zealand Initiative, professional health associations, and senior journalists to learn about innovative solutions for better healthcare in New Zealand.
With keynote speakers sharing their experiences and insights, attendees will be inspired to take action and improve the current healthcare system.
Watch the 8 keynote sessions here.
Featured Publication
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
1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 1.1 This submission on the Medicines Amendment Bill is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. Read more
This report highlights the economic benefits of investing in general practice, finding significant potential to ease pressure on hospitals and improve patient care. The Heart of Healthcare: Renewing New Zealand's Primary Care System examines the economic case for strengthening GP services, as Health Minister Simeon Brown recently announced initiatives to address GP shortages. Read more
Canada’s devolution of health services to First Nations provides a strikingly different way of thinking about localism, according to Dr Eric Crampton, Chief Economist with the New Zealand Initiative. “Canada’s central government has long provided, under treaty, a ‘medicine chest’ of funded services to First Nations peoples. Read more
1.1 This submission on the Misuse of Drugs (Pseudoephedrine) Amendment Bill[1] is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. In combination, our members employ more than 150,000 people. Read more
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
Treasury projects public health spending will rise from 7.1 to 10 per cent of GDP by 2065. Over the same period, the ratio of working-age taxpayers to superannuitants will halve. Read more
Think for a moment about how some pharmacy services are funded. Or rather, not really funded. Read more
In this episode, Oliver talks to Dr Prabani Wood about her research note "Better health through better data", which examines how New Zealand's fragmented health data systems prevent policymakers from knowing whether their decisions actually improve health outcomes. They discuss Dr Wood's recommendation for a Canadian-style primary care data network that would enable practitioners to improve their performance while giving policymakers the evidence they need to make better funding and policy decisions. Read more
After over 16 years as a GP, I can tell you what keeps me up at night. It is not the long hours or the difficult diagnoses. Read more