About our events

The New Zealand Initiative holds events throughout the year to promote debate, disseminate ideas, and connect with our supporters. Our events include public forums, conferences, and debates. We also organise outreach activities with secondary schools, universities, and young professionals.

Public Forums: The Initiative occasionally hosts larger public events with prominent international speakers. These events are a great opportunity to discuss ideas and meet new people in an informal setting.

Member-only Events: Exclusive to members to the Initiative.

tony abbott and John Key

Members' lunch with Hon Tony Abbott and Rt Hon Sir John Key

The New Zealand Initiative in association with Worldwide Support for Development (WSD) is pleased to invite you to meet Hon Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia. Tony Abbott is an advisor to the British Board of Trade and Patron of WSD. Read more

22 April, 2021
Auckland
  Member only event
Auckland feature

Members' drinks and networking

We invite members of The New Zealand Initiative to join us for drinks and discussion at a reception with Westpac's Chief Executive David McLean, Chapman Tripp’s Managing Partner Nick Wells and the Initiative's Director Oliver Hartwich. Now that the election dust has settled, it is time to reflect on the coming Parliamentary term. Read more

3 December, 2020
Auckland
  Member only event
Wellington feature

Members' drinks and networking

We invite members of The New Zealand Initiative to join us for drinks and discussion at a reception with Rt Hon Sir Bill English, Forsyth Barr Managing Director Neil Paviour-Smith and the Initiative’s Director Oliver Hartwich. Now that the election dust has settled, it is time to reflect on the coming Parliamentary term. Read more

9 November, 2020
Wellington
  Member only event
Chris Hipkins feature3

Members' Lunch with Hon Chris Hipkins

As Minister for Education, Health, State Services, Ministerial Services and Leader of the House, Chris Hipkins is responsible for a broad range of public policy. In particular, we look forward to discussing his education reform plans and getting an update on the health management of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more

19 August, 2020
Auckland
  Member only event
Simon Bridges feature2

Members' webinar with Hon Simon Bridges

Hon. Simon Bridges, Leader of the Opposition and chair of Parliament’s Epidemic Response Committee joins us for a webinar to answer your questions. Read more

8 April, 2020
Members webinar
  Member only event
Grant Robertson feature2

A conversation with Hon Grant Robertson

Fiscal policy will be front and centre in this election year. With the Government’s infrastructure package announced earlier this month, the Government has begun laying out the platform on which it will campaign for re-election. Read more

20 March, 2020
Webinar
  Member only event
retreat feature

Members' Retreat 2020

Our Retreat is the chance to discuss social and economic issues with members and bring those issues to the attention of New Zealand’s leading politicians. Please contact Chelsy at chelsy.blair@nzinitiative.org.nz for further information. Read more

12 March, 2020
Auckland
  Member only event
retreatdinner2020 feature2

Members' Retreat Dinner 2020

The New Zealand Initiative is organising a dinner with Dr Bella d'Abrera in Auckland on Thursday 12 March 2020. About the speaker Dr Bella d’Abrera has a BA in History and Spanish from Monash University, an MA in Spanish from the University of St Andrews and a PhD in History from the University of Cambridge. Read more

12 March, 2020
Auckland
  Member only event
Kirk and Oliver rectangle for web

A members' lunch with Kirk Hope, BusinessNZ & Oliver Hartwich, NZ Initiative

As a peak business advocacy group and a public policy think tank, BusinessNZ and The New Zealand Initiative are New Zealand’s pre-eminent business membership organisations that both follow and contribute to New Zealand’s debates. Join us for a lunchtime conversation with their leaders Kirk Hope and Oliver Hartwich on domestic and international challenges. Read more

15 November, 2019
Auckland
  Member only event
Grant Robertson feature

Members' Lunch with Hon Grant Robertson (Wellington)

Fiscal policy has been at the core of the Government’s agenda this year, not least through the recommendations of the Tax Working Group and the first Wellbeing Budget. We are delighted that Minister of Finance Hon. Read more

7 October, 2019
Wellington
  Member only event
VangelisVitalis feature

Members' Lunch with Vangelis Vitalis

In a world characterised by growing protectionism, attacks on the rules-based world order and renewed regional tensions, trade policy has become more challenging. We look forward to discussing the implications for New Zealand with Vangelis Vitalis, MFAT Deputy Secretary and New Zealand’s chief trade negotiator. Read more

22 August, 2019
Auckland
  Member only event
Jonathan Haidt feature

Jonathan Haidt | Moral Psychology in an Age of Outrage (Auckland)

In 2012, US psychologist Jonathan Haidt rose to fame with the publication of his book The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided on Politics and Religion. In its review, The New York Times called Haidt’s book “a landmark contribution to humanity’s understanding of itself.” It has since gained widespread praise from commentators left, right and centre (see here). Read more

1 August, 2019
Auckland

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