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.

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Members' Breakfast with Mayor Phil Goff

Before his election in October 2016, the Initiative hosted Phil Goff to explain his visions for the ‘City of Sails’. Now, half-way through his first term as Mayor, Phil Goff will give an update on his strategies for transport, housing affordability and urban development. Read more

4 May, 2018
Auckland
  Member only event
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Dinner with Hon Dr Andrew Leigh

Hon Dr Andrew Leigh, MP, is Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT. Prior to being elected in 2010, Andrew was Professor of Economics at the Australian National University. Read more

5 April, 2018
Wellington
  Member only event
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Members' Retreat 2018

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

8 March, 2018
Auckland
  Member only event
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Members' Retreat Dinner 2018

The New Zealand Initiative is organising a dinner with Hon Peter Costello AC in Auckland on Thursday 8 March 2018. About the speaker Hon. Read more

8 March, 2018
Auckland
  Member only event
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The Future Catch Panel Discussion

The Future Catch was launched with a panel discussion in Wellington on 4 December. Randall Bess (report author), Stuart Nash (Minister of Fisheries), Sir Mark Solomon (Deputy Chair, Te Ohu Kaimoana) and Bob Gutsell (Vice President, New Zealand Sport Fishing Council) discussed the issues facing the recreational fishing sector. Read more

4 December, 2017
Wellington
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Welfare, Work and Wellbeing Panel Discussion

We released our report on welfare policy, Welfare, Work and Wellbeing: From Benefits to Better Lives, with a panel discussion on 28 November in Wellington. Author Bryce Wilkinson and social activist and former MP Sue Bradford, who wrote the foreword, discussed the report's findings with a diverse and knowledgeable audience of about 100 people. Read more

28 November, 2017
Wellington
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Members' Lunch with Hon Phil Twyford

The new Labour-led Government has made housing and transport policy one of its core policy areas. This makes Minister Phil Twyford one of the key figures of the new Cabinet. Read more

22 November, 2017
Auckland
  Member only event
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Future of Recreational Fishing Public Meetings

To promote our policy recommendations on recreational fisheries management, The New Zealand Initiative organised a series of public consultation meetings. Randall Bess travelled to five locations in the South Island and nine in the North Island to gather feedback on his recommendations for improving recreational fisheries in New Zealand. Read more

14 August, 2017
Various
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Members' Lunch with Hon Steven Joyce

The New Zealand Initiative invites you to a members’ lunch with Hon Steven Joyce. Hon Steven Joyce has been a key minister in the National-led government for many years. Read more

7 July, 2017
Auckland
  Member only event
NikkiKaye feature

Amplifying Excellence Panel Discussion

Parents want good schools and good teachers for their children, and most educators want to pass their knowledge to their students. The New Zealand Initiative’s analyses discovered that too many students leave school unqualified, and many others languish in low performing schools. Read more

5 July, 2017
Wellington

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