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Policy Point: Fast-Track Approvals Bill

On 7 March 2024, the Coalition Government introduced a Fast-Track Approvals Bill. Its purpose is to ‘provide a streamlined decision-making process to facilitate the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits’.1 The Bill is a key aspect of the Government’s programme for Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform.2 It is part of the National and New Zealand First coalition agreement and a key component of the Government’s 100-Day Plan. Read more

Nick Clark

Policy Point

13 March, 2024

Media Release: The New Zealand Initiative Supports Fast-Track Approvals Bill with Suggested Improvements

Wellington (Wednesday, 13 March 2024) - The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the government's introduction of the Fast-Track Approvals Bill to streamline consenting for infrastructure and development projects. However, the Initiative recommends several changes to improve the Bill and mitigate potential downsides. Read more

Nick Clark

13 March, 2024

The Platform: Has the Government actually made fiscal progress?

Sean Plunket talks to Dr Oliver Hartwich on The Platform about whether the Government has actually made fiscal progress after its first 100 days of action. Watch below. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Sean Plunket

The Platform

13 March, 2024

NZ’s fiscal hole leaves dire mess for Luxon to clean up

New Zealanders recently learned about a new feature film. It will be about former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – and taxpayers will subsidise it to the tune of NZ$800,000. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

The Australian

13 March, 2024

Road pricing debate shrouded in smoke and (rear-view) mirrors

Transport policy increasingly resembles a culture war, with Lycra-clad cycling enthusiasts pitted against V8-loving, gas-guzzling motorists. To put it another way, Kiwis are either champions of light rail or proponents of Roads of National Significance. Read more

Dr Matthew Birchall

Newsroom

12 March, 2024

A Canadian housing development shows how the value of indigenous land can be unlocked

The Sen̓áḵw development near downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, won’t quite be a city within the city. But it will be close. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

The Post

9 March, 2024

Dr Eric Crampton on RNZ about rates and potential alternatives

Dr Eric Crampton joins Emile Donovan on RNZ to talk about rates and explore alternative options. Listen below. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

RNZ

7 March, 2024

New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point

Last month’s Legal Research Foundation conference commemorating the Supreme Court’s 20th anniversary could mark a turning point for New Zealand’s highest court. Or at least it should if the Supreme Court justices were listening. Read more

Roger Partridge

NZ Herald

7 March, 2024

Bishop’s pledge to end the housing shortage

Housing policy made significant progress this week. The housing minister, Chris Bishop, addressed the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and released a cabinet paper outlining his plan for solving the housing crisis. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Insights Newsletter

1 March, 2024

Condemned!

Today I found out that both the Prime Minister and I are self-described “test cricket tragics”. If he can tell me what Neil Wagner’s final bowling average is upon retirement, I’ll believe him. Read more

Insights Newsletter

1 March, 2024

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