New Zealand has used the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system for nearly 30 years. While delivering more proportional parliaments, MMP has developed some unique features and challenges over time. Read more

This will be a Members' Lunch with Rt Hon Sir Nick Gibb, former British Minister of State for Schools. Sir Nick was instrumental in driving significant reform in the British school system, including the expansion of the academy schools programme, the introduction of the Phonics Screening Check, and the development of a knowledge-rich national curriculum. Read more

New Zealand's state housing agency, Kāinga Ora, was restructured in 2019 with an ambitious dual mandate to deliver social housing and lead urban development. By 2024, it faced mounting challenges: spiralling debt, weak governance, and troubling service quality. Read more

This will be a Members' Lunch with our Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich. This is a great chance to catch up and hear his latest thoughts on what we have been working on and what is happening with the government's agenda. Read more

New Zealand has built one of the most complex executive governments in the developed world, with 81 ministerial portfolios, 28 ministers and 43 departments. Could streamlining this maze enhance accountability, efficiency and policy coherence? Read more

This will be a Members' Lunch with Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education. Following the Minister's recent announcement of significant NCEA changes, this presents a valuable opportunity to hear directly from Minister Stanford about her vision for the future of New Zealand's education system. Read more

Join Dr James Kierstead for this webinar launching his new report "Amazing Grades: Grade Inflation at New Zealand Universities". The report provides compelling evidence that grade inflation has taken hold in our universities over the past two decades, with particularly steep rises in the proportion of A grades awarded in recent years. Read more

This will be a Members' Dinner with Hon Chris Bishop, Minister of Housing, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Minister of Transport, Leader of the House, Associate Minister of Finance, and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation along with being the MP for Hutt South. This dinner is an opportunity to hear directly from the Minister on his ministerial portfolios and his vision for New Zealand's urban economic development. Read more

This will be a Members' Lunch with Iain Rennie CNZM, Secretary and Chief Executive to the Treasury. As New Zealand continues to navigate complex economic challenges, Treasury's renewed focus on sound economic principles represents a critical shift in approach. Read more

This event marks both the official launch of our exciting new video series created with Professor Oakley and a farewell celebration as she concludes her journey around New Zealand with us. Throughout her time here, Professor Oakley has visited primary and secondary schools nationwide, helping to transform how teachers approach education. Read more

This will be a Members' Lunch with Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, leader of the opposition. At this lunch, Chris will share Labour's vision and policy priorities as the party works to reformulate its policies and devise strategies for the remainder of this parliamentary term. Read more

Local democracy in New Zealand is facing a troubling imbalance: mostly part-time councillors must process complex information prepared by full-time professional staff, often receiving hundreds of pages just days before critical votes. Could AI help rebalance this information asymmetry and strengthen democratic oversight? Read more

This will be a Members' Lunch with Hon Scott Simpson, who has recently taken on the portfolios of ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs. At this lunch, Minister Simpson will share his vision for strengthening New Zealand's business environment and enhancing consumer protections. Read more

This will be a conversation on the US Tariffs that are reshaping international trade as we know it with Vangelis Vitalis, Deputy Secretary Trade and Economic at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Recent US tariff impositions have transformed global commerce, creating immediate challenges for all businesses and especially those with global markets. Read more

Our annual members' retreat is a chance to cover the major aspects of New Zealand politics and economics, and will provide plenty of room for discussion, engagement and networking. Please contact us at events@nzinitiative.org.nz for further information. Read more