Jemma completed her Bachelor of Business at Auckland University of Technology with a double major in economics and information systems. She then completed her Bachelor of Business with Honours in economics where her dissertation had a primary focus on technological innovation.
She has a particular interest in productivity, innovation, and alcohol policy.
Due to New Zealand’s geographic distance from other countries, Kiwis developed a DIY attitude in the days when trading was difficult. As a result, some remarkable inventions were created. Read more
In this episode, Oliver interviews Jemma Stevenson, a new economist at The New Zealand Initiative, about her background and current research on government inefficiency. Jemma is working on a sequel to the Initiative's research on "Cabinet Congestion," examining whether New Zealand's complex government structure of 81 portfolios and 28 ministers leads to increased spending compared to more streamlined systems like Norway's. Read more
Growing up, I always loved flipping through my dad’s catalogues showcasing sample slabs of stone benchtops. Like many other tradespeople, my dad has taken pride in helping people design beautiful kitchens. Read more