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In section 2 of this submission we argue strongly against the Inquiry's interpretation of the government's objective for the telecommunications industry. In our view it is not consistent with the objective of achieving a dynamic, competitive and efficient industry. Read more

The abolition of the bulk funding of teacher salaries is by far the most important change and one for which no rational explanation is provided. We consider it to be a seriously retrograde step. Read more

In submissions over the past few years business organisations have called on the Wellington City Council (the Council) to focus on its core business, exit from other activities and implement more efficient funding arrangements. Unless such policies are adopted, ratepayers will be confronted by continuing rate increases and Wellington City will be a less attractive city than otherwise to locate businesses. Read more

We are strongly of the view that the major contribution that the WRC can make to regional growth and employment prospects is to reduce the rates and regulatory burden it imposes on the private sector. Read more

The general question that I have been asked to address is this: how to think about telecommunications regulation. My comparative advantage is not in particular knowledge of the ongoing New Zealand dispute on how heavy- or light-handed telecommunications regulation ought to be, although I have some weak instincts on that subject that I will share with you in due course. Read more

The NZBR, in its research, is attempting to take the broadest possible view of the concept of a regulatory constitution. We have analysed many attempts at regulatory reform within countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), starting with the initiatives of various US presidents in the early 1970s. Read more

How can we decide what the goals of public policy ought to be? Should equality or some other form of equity be a social goal? Read more

The publication of this paper comes at an important time for the future of the legal profession in New Zealand. Regulation that is specific to the legal profession has been the subject of increasing debate in recent years. Read more

The market is from both a practical and theoretical point of view central to an understanding of the topic of corporate, or as is said in New Zealand, company control. The history of the field has witnessed many twists and turns. Read more

I begin this talk with a now standard disclaimer: I know comparatively little about the New Zealand political setting, so I shall step back from the detail of specific institutions to consider the general question of how best to design voting systems. The basic principles can then be applied to various issues concerning New Zealand's mixed member proportional (MMP) electoral system. The first point is a note of caution: voting systems within modern democratic politics are highly imperfect arrangements, even when operating at their best. Read more