Dr Oliver Hartwich Views from Wellington

Insights

On borrowed calm

Anger over socio-economic issues has propelled populist parties to prominence in countries like Australia, Britain, and Germany, while New Zealand’s political landscape remains more stable due to moderate forces. […]
The Australian

NZ’s nuclear superstition makes no sense

New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy, while politically significant, limits discussions on nuclear technology’s diverse uses. Restrictions create contradictions, as the nation relies on foreign nuclear medicine despite its stance against domestic reactors. […]
Uncategorised

Why New Zealand’s ‘flexible’ labour market fails on youth wages

The New Zealand Initiative’s youth wage proposal emphasizes training value over fairness, suggesting a link between lower wages and skill development. […]

silhouettes of workers during a vibrant sunset

A feel-good law with a global track record of failure

Insights

05/06/2026

The Modern Slavery Bill in New Zealand aims to hold large firms accountable for reporting slavery in supply chains, but critics argue it fails to address the real issues and may encourage ignorance. […]

big ben and palace of westminster on a sunny day

The performative politician who paved Ardern’s way

Newsroom

03/06/2026

Tony Blair’s recent essay critiques Britain’s issues, emphasizing AI, governance, and Labour’s future. Although his insights are sharp, skepticism arises from his past performance and lack of actionable solutions. […]

A prescription that fits

29/05/2026

New Zealand’s latest Budget reveals persistent deficits and a challenging financial environment. The government must address numerous small structural issues to achieve economic growth, as outlined in the “Prescription for Prosperity 2026” report.

[…]

Audiences without a Public

29/05/2026

Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann’s “spiral of silence” describes how public opinion diverges from private beliefs, a phenomenon intensified by today’s fragmented media landscape, where audiences consume biased content, reinforcing division.

[…]

modern parliament building in wellington

Submission on the Modern Slavery Bill

27/05/2026

The New Zealand Initiative opposes the Modern Slavery Bill, citing ineffective disclosure regimes, legal uncertainties, unfair penalties, and a misplaced focus on large entities rather than smaller businesses.

[…]

NZ’s anti-slavery bill helps no victims but no one dare oppose it

26/05/2026

New Zealand’s Modern Slavery Bill, while aimed at addressing exploitation in supply chains, may create compliance burdens without effectively reducing modern slavery, echoing critiques of similar legislation in Australia and the UK.

[…]

majestic magdeburg cathedral at golden hour

New purge to give totalitarian control of police, schools, prison, bureaucracy of German state

19/05/2026

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) aims to fundamentally reshape German governance by purging civil servants deemed misaligned, threatening democratic norms while mainstream parties also undermine established rules amid rising discontent.

[…]

Like Chalmers, NZ tried property tax reforms too. They failed

18/05/2026

Jim Chalmers’ announcement to end negative gearing mirrors New Zealand’s past reforms that backfired, leading to fewer rental properties and rising rents, demonstrating that housing affordability relies on supply, not tax changes.

[…]

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Views from Wellington

On borrowed calm

NZ’s nuclear superstition makes no sense

Why New Zealand’s ‘flexible’ labour market fails on youth wages

A feel-good law with a global track record of failure

The performative politician who paved Ardern’s way

A prescription that fits

Audiences without a Public

Submission on the Modern Slavery Bill

NZ’s anti-slavery bill helps no victims but no one dare oppose it

New purge to give totalitarian control of police, schools, prison, bureaucracy of German state

Like Chalmers, NZ tried property tax reforms too. They failed

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