Last night, 850 of New Zealand’s business leaders gathered at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre for the 35th Deloitte Top 200 Awards.  

The Awards are New Zealand’s premier celebration of corporate excellence. They typically recognise achievements like CEO performance, company growth and business leadership.  

But among these categories came an unexpected announcement: the Judges’ Award was presented to a think tank director. 

I was deeply honoured to accept this recognition on behalf of The New Zealand Initiative.  

For a small policy research organisation to be acknowledged at New Zealand’s most prestigious business awards shows how much we have achieved since our beginnings in 2012.  

More importantly, it demonstrates that the business community values rigorous policy thinking and development. 

This recognition belongs to the entire Initiative team. Whether in research, management or operations, we all contribute to the same mission. Over the past 12 years, our researchers have produced evidence-based analysis, while our operations team have ensured these ideas reach decision-makers and the public. 

Our work has helped shape real change for New Zealand. Our education research is directly influencing teaching practices in schools. Our housing policy research has contributed to reforms in local government and planning. And the government’s proposed reforms to foreign direct investment rules closely follow our longstanding recommendations. 

As a small nation, New Zealand needs independent voices contributing to policy debates alongside government departments and universities.  

For more than a decade, we have provided research-based solutions to New Zealand’s most pressing challenges. The award recognises that good policy development needs thorough research, practical solutions, and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom. 

We are grateful to our Board and to our members who have supported our mission from the start. Our work would not be possible without their commitment to evidence-based policy development.  

We also thank our many supporters and readers who engage with our research and contribute to the policy debates we initiate. 

As I said in my acceptance speech last night, if your company has a pulse, it should be a member of The New Zealand Initiative. It is wonderful to receive recognition at New Zealand’s premier business awards, and we would be more delighted to welcome more companies to join us in our mission. 

The recognition inspires us to continue our work: creating better policy for a more prosperous New Zealand. 

Thank you for your support. 

Watch Dr Oliver Hartwich receive the award here.