It has to be the silliest game of Cluedo going. Who caused the cost of living to blow out? Read more
New Zealand was on the brink of an abyss. Its smug and reckless government had burdened the economy with top-down planning, lost control of public finances and created a crisis of confidence in the Kiwi dollar. Read more
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation between Dr Michael Johnston and Dr Melissa Derby (Ngāti Ranginui), a seasoned expert in education and literacy. Dive into the nuances of literacy in New Zealand, from the ongoing 'Reading Wars' debate to the concept of multi-literacies. Read more
One of the key themes that echoes through the 21 areas of public policy we cover in Prescription for Prosperity, is localism. We need to get central bureaucracy out of the way, so that local innovation can thrive. Read more
I’m a fan of prizes for rewarding innovation. Prizes motivate. Read more
New Zealand is standing at a historic crossroads. The 2023 election is not just another election; it is a turning point, a watershed moment for our nation’s future. Read more
Join Dr. Oliver Hartwich and Dr. Michael Johnston for a discussion about the key points from The New Zealand Initiative's recent publication, Prescription for Prosperity. The report, which gives policy recommendations for the incoming government after the election, is the culmination of over a decade of research. Read more
Transport policy in New Zealand increasingly resembles an episode of Utopia, the Australian comedy series that lampoons a government agency responsible for large infrastructure projects. In one memorable episode, the hapless bureaucrats in the Nation Building Authority are instructed by a political staffer to investigate the feasibility of a “very fast train” connecting Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane despite reams of evidence suggesting it is a terrible idea. Read more
Dr. Oliver Hartwich provides brief commentary on what the next government should do, in light of The New Zealand Initiative's report released today. Read more
Wellington (Thursday, 24 August 2023) - As the nation prepares to vote on 14 October, the sentiment across New Zealand is one of frustration and concern. Skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, strained healthcare, and a growing educational gap are the voices of a country looking for change. Read more
As the nation prepares to vote on 14 October, the sentiment across New Zealand is one of frustration and concern. Skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, strained healthcare, and a growing educational gap are the voices of a country looking for change. Read more
If everything had gone according to plan, this column would have been about the visit of the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, to New Zealand. That would have been appropriate as German ministers do not make it to this part of the world too often. Read more
Join Phil Barry and Eric Crampton in this podcast as they delve into New Zealand's proposed tobacco policies. Together, they analyse the government's efforts to reduce smoking rates, particularly through Very Low Nicotine Content (VLNC) cigarettes. Read more
Shakedown rackets are, thankfully, illegal. Except when government legislates them. Read more
In 1989, the Lange government implemented the Tomorrow’s Schools reforms. The old Department of Education was replaced by a new agency, the – initially – much leaner Ministry of Education. Schools became self-governing. Read more