Final Oliver Hartwich

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Executive Director

Oliver is the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative. Before joining the Initiative, he was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, the Chief Economist at Policy Exchange in London, and an advisor in the UK House of Lords. Oliver holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business administration and a PhD in Law from Bochum University in Germany.

Oliver is available to comment on all of the Initiative’s research areas.

Phone: +64 4 499 0790

Email: oliver.hartwich@nzinitiative.org.nz

Recent Work

nicola

New Zealand's budget faces its biggest test since the 1980s

Spare a thought for New Zealand’s Finance Minister, Nicola Willis as she prepares to deliver her first Budget later this month. The economic circumstances she has inherited from her predecessor, Grant Robertson, are the worst any Kiwi finance minister has faced since the tumultuous days of Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson in the 1980s and early 1990s. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
The Australian
6 May, 2024
2024 05 02 BRI Website

Podcast: China's Belt and Road Initiative

In this podcast episode, Oliver and Nick discuss their recent report on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its implications for New Zealand. They caution that while BRI investments could potentially help fund New Zealand's large infrastructure deficit, the country needs to be very careful about engagement to avoid becoming locked into China's geopolitical sphere of influence. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
2 May, 2024
NewstalkZB Mike Hosking square

Mike Hosking talks to Dr Oliver Hartwich about China's Belt and Road risks

Dr Oliver Hartwich discusses the Initiative's new report that highlighting the hidden risks in China's Belt and Road Initiative, which could impact New Zealand's foreign policy independence and infrastructure development. He argues that New Zealand should not participate in the Belt and Road Initiative as it has access to ordinary capital markets, and getting involved could mean being drawn into China's sphere of influence politically. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Mike Hosking
Newstalk ZB
2 May, 2024
Research Note Final Cover with outline

Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for New Zealand

The New Zealand Initiative today released a research note highlighting the potential pitfalls of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its implications for New Zealand's foreign policy independence and infrastructure development. In the report, Belt and Road Initiative - Implications for New Zealand, authors Nick Clark and Dr Oliver Hartwich explore the BRI's origins, objectives, and recent developments. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
2 May, 2024
BRI website thumbnail

Media Release: New Report Warns of Hidden Risks in China's Belt and Road Initiative

Wellington (Wednesday, 1 May 2024) - The New Zealand Initiative's research note highlights the potential pitfalls of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its implications for New Zealand's foreign policy independence and infrastructure development. In the report, Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for New Zealand, authors Nick Clark and Dr Oliver Hartwich explore the BRI's origins, objectives, and recent developments. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
1 May, 2024
2024 04 30 Victorias postponed free speech event Episode Website

Podcast: Victoria University's postponed free speech event

In this episode, Oliver Hartwich interviews Dr Michael Johnston about the free speech event at Victoria University that was postponed due to backlash within the university. They discuss the importance of free speech in liberal democracies, the changing perception of free speech as a partisan issue, and the concerning trend of young people trying to shut down events featuring disagreeable viewpoints. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Michael Johnston
30 April, 2024
2024 04 18 Germany dual education Episode Website

Podcast: Germany's dual education system

Oliver and Michael talk about Germany's dual education system with Rachel Simpson, Manager for Education, Skills and Immigration at Business NZ. Recently, Michael and Rachel were on a business delegation to Germany to find out about their dual education system first-hand. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich
Dr Michael Johnston
Rachel Simpson
18 April, 2024

Stay in the loop: Subscribe to updates