Dr Oliver Hartwich

The counterrevolution started in Auckland last night. That is when the Initiative hosted British educator Katharine Birbalsingh for a dinner lecture in front of an audience of almost 300 teachers, school trustees, business leaders and politicians. [...]

If politicians could make companies more productive and innovative by decree, they would have done so a long time ago. [...]

We should be prepared to defend government’s unpopular spending decisions where we believe them to be justified. The boost to New Zealand’s diplomatic capacity is just such a decision. [...]

The Waka Jumping Bill is more reminiscent of early 20th century Germany than suited to 21st century New Zealand. It would be an aberration of New Zealand’s democratic tradition if it were passed into law. [...]

As tempting it may appear to tap into land value uplifts, we need to be cautious. The model can work – but we need to apply it only in the cases where it can work. [...]