Dr Oliver Hartwich Views from Wellington

Newsroom

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

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. […]
The Australian

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

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. […]
The Australian

As NZ political centre narrows, should Luxon consider grand coalition?

The idea of a grand coalition in New Zealand faces challenges; past German experiences show limited reform success and political risks. […]

They came in peace. We came with clipboards.

Insights

08/05/2026

The Martian Audit portrays two Martians touring New Zealand, baffled by absurd legalities, ultimately deciding invading Australia would be simpler. […]

The Martian Audit

Research reports

07/05/2026

The Martian Audit is a satirical novella featuring Martian auditors who, upon encountering New Zealand’s bureaucratic absurdities, decide the country is not worth conquering, humorously critiquing public policy and governance. […]

Why NZ’s government struggles to pass reforms

05/05/2026

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.

[…]

Oil refinery silhouette border, industrial

Trump’s Iran war is paying for Putin’s

05/05/2026

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.

[…]

man writing on notes posted on glass wall

Is the public service really fine?

01/05/2026

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

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

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.

[…]

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Views from Wellington

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

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

As NZ political centre narrows, should Luxon consider grand coalition?

They came in peace. We came with clipboards.

The Martian Audit

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

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