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When Harvard economist Ed Glaeser delivered a public lecture on urban economics in Christchurch in 2013, hosted by Canterbury’s Department of Economics and Finance, he was asked whether Christchurch would really recover. The question wasn’t crazy. Read more

It was more than a little bizarre when news broke on early Saturday morning that Greece and the eurozone had reached an agreement in their dispute over the country’s debt and bailout program. What was so strange about the deal was the fact that it was announced much earlier than anyone had anticipated. Read more

Much is made of New Zealand’s savings culture, or more accurately the lack thereof, which is presumably why the government established the Commission for Financial Capability (CFC). The Crown-owned entity, formerly known as the Centre for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income (say that three times fast), is tasked with giving financially vulnerable people the skills to become money savvy. Read more

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

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

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