Dr Oliver Hartwich Views from Wellington

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. […]
Quadrant

Nasty, Brutish and Short-Sighted

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

The art of the contradiction

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

Newsroom

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

The Australian

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.

[…]

the beehive building in wellington new zealand

New Zealand is too busy governing badly to govern well

31/03/2026

New Zealand’s government is shelving a referendum for extending the parliamentary term from three to four years, despite widespread support. A three-year term leads to urgency in legislation, hindering reform and effective governance, necessitating change.

[…]

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Views from Wellington

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?

New Zealand is too busy governing badly to govern well

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