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In the new cabinet, Phil Twyford stands out as the minister with the most challenging mandate. Combining housing and transport in one person has created a superminister in charge of all aspects of urban development. Read more
Signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the new government passed its first test on the international stage. If only all policy issues could be solved by just adding the words ‘comprehensive and progressive’ to their names. Read more
I’ve been encouraged by several signals from the new Government around transport. Ministers appear to have given transport much thought in opposition and are, in many ways, ahead of their agencies. Read more
Wellington (10 November 2017): “The TPP APEC talks in Vietnam today are reportedly 'down to the wire.' Yet while the TPP commentary focuses on trade, we should also learn about foreign direct investment from APEC host Vietnam,” says The New Zealand Initiative’s Senior Fellow Dr Bryce Wilkinson. “In 1997, Vietnam had the most restrictive FDI regime of all 45 countries measured by the OECD. Read more
Wellington (7 November 2017): As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Trade Minister David Parker head for the APEC meeting and the East Asia Summit, The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the Government’s commitment to free trade agreements. But the think tank warns that New Zealand will likely fall further behind as a destination for foreign investment (FDI) if the Government pursues its policy intentions. Read more
Wellington (6 November 2017): Since becoming the Housing and Transport Minister, Mr Twyford has underlined his intention to simplify planning rules, abolish the rural urban boundary, let Auckland grow up and out, and move towards road pricing. Commenting on Phil Twyford’s statements, the Initiative’s Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich said: “The appointment of Phil Twyford as Housing and Transport Minister in the Labour-led government is a breath of fresh air. Read more
Wellington (30 October 2017): As the new Labour/NZ First Government pushes for stronger regional development, New Zealand should learn from the country that does regional development best. And that country is Switzerland, argues a new report by think tank The New Zealand Initiative. Read more
The new Labour/NZ First government should be looking to Switzerland for inspiration when it comes to implementing some of its key policies, for example its unique local governance system. Oliver Hartwich explains why. Read more
Judging by its coalition agreements, the new Government’s unofficial motto is not to do everything differently but to do a lot of things better. But not every change is for the better. Read more
In my previous piece for Interest, I wrote that government agencies’ response to the rising road toll was inadequate. The Ministry of Transport, the NZ Transport Agency and the Police each essentially blamed drivers. Read more