Dr Oliver Hartwich Views from Wellington

The Australian

Why NZ’s government struggles to pass reforms

In 2026, New Zealand’s coalition government faced obstacles implementing promised reforms, as bureaucratic resistance led to diluted policies on medicine regulation, planning law, and the Reserve Bank’s powers, highlighting challenges in governmental effectiveness. […]
Newsroom

Trump’s Iran war is paying for Putin’s

Russia’s economy struggles amidst sanctions and war, but high oil prices, aided by Trump’s actions in Iran, provide a temporary reprieve, stabilising Putin’s regime despite underlying issues. […]
Insights

Is the public service really fine?

The New Zealand public service faces structural issues necessitating reform, as highlighted by a recent report arguing for ministerial appointment of chief executives despite opposing critiques. […]

Nasty, Brutish and Short-Sighted

Quadrant

29/04/2026

The post-1945 global order faces decline as major powers disregard rules, risking international chaos reminiscent of Hobbes’ “state of nature” without strong authority. […]

President Trump Postlaunch Remarks (NHQ202005300037)

The art of the contradiction

Insights

24/04/2026

President Trump exhibited contradictory statements regarding the Iran conflict, alternating between demands for surrender and regime change while allies hesitated. Meanwhile, New Zealand grapples with rising fuel prices amid ongoing instability. […]

Trump pushes Pope onto world stage in a devilish intervention

21/04/2026

Dealing with hostile political leaders is nothing new for the Catholic church. It has two thousand years of practice, from Herod and Pilate through Napoleon to Stalin and Hitler. An institution that outlasted all of them will probably manage Donald Trump as well.

[…]

the lightpath in the middle of the freeway in auckland

Auckland’s new city deal shifts nothing

16/04/2026

New Zealand signed its first city deal with Auckland, promising funding for local projects. However, it lacks real local autonomy and continues centralised control from Wellington, limiting true local governance.

[…]

Splitting power generators from their retail arms would not cut electricity bills

16/04/2026

With rising energy prices, New Zealand First proposes splitting electricity companies, but the argument lacks economic merit. Vertical integration helps stabilise prices, making competition effective despite consumer inertia in switching suppliers.

[…]

Government by correspondence

10/04/2026

New Zealand’s governance structure limits ministerial authority, making chief executives accountable to a commissioner instead. This system demands reforms, allowing ministers to appoint leaders for improved accountability and effectiveness.

[…]

black leather office rolling chairs beside brown wooden table

Who runs the country? No board would tolerate this

09/04/2026

New Zealand’s government system, where chief executives are appointed by an independent commissioner without ministerial input, hinders effective governance and lacks accountability, unlike practices in other democracies.

[…]

Who Runs the Country?

08/04/2026

New Zealand’s ministers lack control over departments, so my report suggests reforms to improve accountability by allowing ministerial appointments of chief executives, learning from OECD counterparts like Germany and Australia.

[…]

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Views from Wellington

Why NZ’s government struggles to pass reforms

Trump’s Iran war is paying for Putin’s

Is the public service really fine?

Nasty, Brutish and Short-Sighted

The art of the contradiction

Trump pushes Pope onto world stage in a devilish intervention

Auckland’s new city deal shifts nothing

Splitting power generators from their retail arms would not cut electricity bills

Government by correspondence

Who runs the country? No board would tolerate this

Who Runs the Country?

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