Dr Oliver Hartwich – Views from Wellington

Defrosting the trans-Atlantic relationship

Healing US politics will be a tough challenge for Biden. If he wants an easier task, he should try healing trans-Atlantic relations first. After all, most European leaders want him to succeed so they can rule out a return to the frostiness of Trump. [...]
Good news weeks

In a year of bad news, the past few weeks were a welcome exception. [...]
In search of Kiwi excellence

Kiwis have mothballed their ambition. We have forgotten about growing the pie so we can share it. We have given up on excellence in favour of wellbeing, kindness and not rocking the boat. [...]
Roll over Beethoven

By adding Ludwig van, Beethoven shall appear a little less genial than he was. He is just another composer. At least he is dead. [...]
Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden are good economic choices

In Homer's Odyssey, the hero is eventually saved and returns home. For the US, a return to long-term economic and political stability is a long way in the future. [...]

We don’t know how unlucky we are in NZ

28/10/2020

It feels nice to be admired by the world. Yet I would rather live in a country that has honest conversations with itself. [...]
Election result a call to action

23/10/2020

Kiwis have made it clear they do not want politics to be a handbrake on escaping the status quo. [...]
A political fairytale gone wrong

20/10/2020

Perhaps Boris Johnson can be compared to his great idol Winston Churchill. Churchill was also booted from office shortly after his greatest triumph. [...]
Calm in a crisis won’t be enough for a second-term Ardern

15/10/2020

Kiwis are an optimistic bunch. That is why they look likely to give Ardern a second chance – and a second term. [...]
Working group enlightenment

09/10/2020

New Zealand’s post-modern politicians have moved past the old power philosophy and found nirvana in a place where nothing ever happens and the rulers remain untouchable in power. [...]
Europe’s directionless leader

06/10/2020

Thirty years after unification, Germany remains a big, little country. A powerless hegemon. A directionless leader. Then again, that may not be such a bad outcome. Had Thatcher and Mitterrand been right, it might have been worse. [...]
New Zealand won

02/10/2020

New Zealand’s political system is not perfect. But, unlike the US, we need not be ashamed of our democratic culture. [...]
New Zealand’s top job

25/09/2020

Being a house is the most attractive job in New Zealand today. If you do not believe me, let me tell you the story of our family home. [...]
Rocks and hard places in EU refugee policy

22/09/2020

The EU’s refugee policy is stuck between rocks, hard places and burnt detention camps. [...]
An alternative briefing for the next incoming Minister of Finance

21/09/2020

This country can once again become prosperous and productive. But only if this is a shared ambition. As the government’s lead economic adviser, it is the Treasury’s ambition to see this through. And as Minister of Finance, it should be yours too. [...]

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