Dr Oliver Hartwich – Views from Wellington

Latest posts

Is it 2008 again?

If the business community believes that our policy direction is so bad it makes them feel like it is 2008 again, New Zealand has a problem. The Government must act quickly to address legitimate concerns and dispel misplaced ones. [...]
Economic literacy and the housing debate

At my next housing discussion, I will not mention I am an economist. Instead, I will demand that houses grow on trees, that infrastructure funding falls from heaven, and that people stop charging each other for products and services. Kumbaya, kumbaya. [...]
Project Localism

The chances for decentralisation have never been better. [...]
On the path to localism

Having campaigned for localism over the past six years, I am excited about the shift politics toward it. But now I want to see this great idea filled with life and practical recommendations. [...]
Brexit shootout

As the Brexit negotiations move towards extra time, it takes a team captain with better oversight, strategy and nerves than Theresa May. [...]

Our islands of stability

13/07/2018

New Zealand appears to be one of the few Western-style democracies still showing any signs of political stability. [...]
Millennial ignorance

29/06/2018

A large majority of Australian millennials find socialism attractive. And they believe that capitalism has failed. [...]
Housing reform vs populist gimmickry

22/06/2018

It is hard to introduce populist policies without hurting the economy. That is the takeout from the Government’s decision to water down its planned restrictions on foreign property buyers. [...]
Nothing is forever (except for the euro crisis)

22/06/2018

The euro crisis may have become ingrained, chronic or hidden – but it is not over. [...]
How the West was lost

15/06/2018

The diplomatic debacle of La Malbaie may well signify the end of the G7 process, which had started in the 1970s. That by itself would not be such a deplorable outcome. [...]
Labour newspeak

08/06/2018

George Orwell would have had fun with the terms of reference of the Government’s Fair Pay Agreement Working Group. Practically none of these terms can be taken at their literal value, starting with the stated purpose. [...]
Revolutionary common sense

01/06/2018

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. [...]
To the Government’s credit

25/05/2018

If politicians could make companies more productive and innovative by decree, they would have done so a long time ago. [...]
The price of diplomacy is worth paying

18/05/2018

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. [...]
An assault on representative democracy

11/05/2018

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. [...]

Copyright © 2018 Blog at WordPress.com.