Eric Crampton is Chief Economist with the New Zealand Initiative.
He applies an economist’s lens to a broad range of policy areas, from devolution and housing policy to student loans and environmental policy. He served on Minister Twyford’s Urban Land Markets Research Group and on Minister Bishop’s Housing Economic Advisory Group.
Most recently, he has been looking at devolution to First Nations in Canada.
He is a regular columnist with Stuff and with Newsroom; his economic and policy commentary appears across most media outlets. He can also be found on Twitter at @ericcrampton.
Phone: +64 4 499 0790
At the end of the Cold War, western governments substantially reduced military expenditure. US President Bush and UK Prime Minister Thatcher called it the “peace dividend.” It was not a “dividend” in any normal sense of the term. Read more
When land prices are wrong, it’s hard for anything to be right. When zoning makes it too hard to build in places where people want to live, land prices will be out of whack. Read more
Dr. Eric Crampton appeared on The Platform to discuss the IMF's recent report.
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It has to be the silliest game of Cluedo going. Who caused the cost of living to blow out? Read more
I’m a fan of prizes for rewarding innovation. Prizes motivate. Read more
As the nation prepares to vote on 14 October, the sentiment across New Zealand is one of frustration and concern. Skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, strained healthcare, and a growing educational gap are the voices of a country looking for change. Read more
Join Phil Barry and Eric Crampton in this podcast as they delve into New Zealand's proposed tobacco policies. Together, they analyse the government's efforts to reduce smoking rates, particularly through Very Low Nicotine Content (VLNC) cigarettes. Read more
Shakedown rackets are, thankfully, illegal. Except when government legislates them. Read more
When the magician on stage flamboyantly waves the handkerchief with his left hand, it’s generally a good idea to keep an eye on what’s going on with the other hand. And I’ve failed that test. Read more
In this podcast, the Initiative's director Oliver Hartwich and chief economist Eric Crampton talk about Labour's proposal to take GST off fresh fruit and vegetables. Oh, and frozen ones, too. Read more
Sean Plunket talks to economist Eric Crampton from the New Zealand Initiative about GST off fruit and veg.
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This submission in response to the Review of the Emissions Trading Scheme and permanent forestry category changes. In summary, we submit: (a) The Emissions Trading Scheme can usefully be strengthened; (b) The proposed options do not usefully strengthen the ETS. Read more
Donald Trump convinced himself and a lot of Americans he could build a wall at America’s southern border and make Mexico pay for it. It was an obviously terrible idea. Read more
The country’s newspapers have been arguing that tech platforms, like Facebook and Google, should be paying them whenever they link to news. They should be careful what they wish for. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton spoke to Radio Waatea about how providing a universal weekly payment would be less expensive for the government than eliminating the GST on food.
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