As President of the Court of Appeal, Sir Robin Cooke (as he then was) suggested that there may be common law rights that run so deep that parliament cannot abrogate them. One of these, he suggested, was a right of access to the 'ordinary Courts'. Read more
It is easy to find strong similarities between the New Zealand Human Rights Act 1993 and the so-called anti-discrimination laws in the United States. Indeed, laws of this type are increasingly popular elsewhere in western democracies, and perhaps throughout the world, so that a comparison of these two systems carries with it wider implications. Read more
This paper has been prepared by ACIL Economics and Policy Pty Ltd (ACIL) and Tasman Asia Pacific Pty Ltd (Tasman) for the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR). The paper is intended to provide further insights into the agricultural marketing issues raised by ACIL in an earlier report and subsequently developed through valuation work on dairy industry assets by Ireland, Wallace and Associates. Read more
This paper investigates the use of economic theory by common law judges. I shall begin that inquiry by propounding a gentle paradox. Read more
Crime has increased significantly in New Zealand over the past 20 years. New Zealand now has one of the highest burglary rates in the developed world, higher than the United States, Great Britain or Australia. Read more
The purpose of this study, which was supported by the New Zealand Business Roundtable, is to suggest the guiding principles for the reform of the welfare state. Plainly any such task involves taking a view about the ideal of a free society. Read more
It’s a pleasure to speak to an audience which reflects such a wide cross-section of the business community. In fact one of the most pleasing developments of recent years that has accomplished the resurgence of business in this country has been the resurgence of business organisations. Read more
Preliminary observations: The brief I accepted in preparing this report was to comment on employment law developments in New Zealand since the Employment Contracts Act 1991 (‘the ECA’) commenced operation on 15 May 1991. The ECA has major political, social, and economic, as well as legal, significance. Read more
There are many aspects of the global picture I might cover with you today. But I would prefer to deal with one particular aspect at length so I propose to talk mainly about why the concept of the United Europe has become a threat to New Zealand, and what we can do about it. Read more
After an introduction like the one delivered by Douglas Myers, sometimes the safest thing to do is to sit down. It has been five and a half years since I last visited here, and I am happy to report that the changes in the mood that I have seen in New Zealand, and in its physical surroundings, have been palpable. Read more
It’s hard not to feel good about the current business environment in New Zealand. Most of us in business today are, for the first time in our lives, part of a successful economy. Read more
This report examines the potential for reforming the water industry. It focuses on mechanisms for allocating water between different uses as well as the institutional arrangements governing businesses that supply water and wastewater services. Read more
The provision and funding of fire services affects every household and firm. Most fire services are currently provided collectively on a national basis. Read more
This study looks at the progress that has been made in improving the contribution of local government to community welfare and identifies areas where improvements still need to be made. Read more