Search

NZ’s infrastructure paradox: When spending more delivers less

A peculiar economic paradox appears to govern infrastructure development in modern New Zealand: the more we spend on infrastructure, the less we seem to get for it. This uncomfortable reality was a key takeaway from last week’s launch of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission’s Draft National Infrastructure Plan. Read more

Nick Clark

Newsroom

27 June, 2025

Submission: Regulatory Standards Bill

1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 1.1 This submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill is made by The New Zealand Initiative (the Initiative), a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Submission

23 June, 2025

What happens when good governance becomes the enemy

Something odd is happening in New Zealand. The government wants to pass a law that would require ministers to explain their regulatory decisions. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

The Australian

18 June, 2025

Smart Support for Councillors: AI Tools for Local Leaders

Picture this: a part-time councillor rushes home from their day job, grabs dinner, then sits down to wade through 600 pages of technical reports two days before a crucial council meeting. Sound familiar? Read more

Nick Clark

Research Note

12 June, 2025

Media release: From Overwhelmed to Empowered: AI Solutions for New Zealand Councillors

Wellington (Thursday, 12 June 2025) - Picture this: a part-time councillor rushes home from their day job, grabs dinner, then sits down to wade through 600 pages of technical reports two days before a crucial council meeting. Sound familiar? Read more

Nick Clark

Media release

12 June, 2025

The digital democracy dividend: How AI could improve local government

Picture this scenario: It is a Friday afternoon. A councillor receives a 600-page agenda for Tuesday's meeting. Read more

Nick Clark

NZ Herald

12 June, 2025

Podcast: Gambling reforms that actually work

In this episode, Eric talks to Tom Mungham, the former Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, about gambling regulation. Drawing from Ontario's successful experience with online gambling regulation, they explore how New Zealand can learn from and adapt international best practices to create a robust, consumer-friendly regulatory framework that protects both players and market interests. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

Tom Mungham

5 June, 2025

New Zealand’s real economic problem: Too little capital, not too much profit

New Zealand’s economy has a chronic capital problem – and it is getting worse. Over the last 50 years, New Zealand has become one of the most undercapitalised economies in the developed world. Read more

Roger Partridge

NZ Herald

5 June, 2025

Quadcast: Dr Oliver Hartwich on the origins of housing policy's socialist roots

Dr Oliver Hartwich talked to Nick Cater on Quadcast about the enduring influence of 1940s socialist planning on housing markets in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Drawing on two decades of research, Dr Hartwich discussed how post-war socialist urban planning ideologies have created persistent housing affordability challenges, while highlighting recent reforms in New Zealand that aim to liberalise planning systems and strengthen property rights. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Nick Cater

Quadcast

30 May, 2025

Fast-Track Supermarket Entry and Expansion Omnibus Bill

The government has viewed stronger retail grocery competition as a national priority. But zoning, consenting, and overseas investment approval processes make new entry far too difficult. Read more

Dr Benno Blaschke

Research Note

29 May, 2025

Stay in the loop: Subscribe to updates

You're now in the loop

Search