Dr Oliver Hartwich Views from Wellington

Newsroom

Voters will decide whether to punch holes in Europe’s nuclear umbrella

Prompted by unilateral American strikes, France and Germany just forged a historic European nuclear defence pact. Surging nationalist political movements, however, threaten to destroy this fragile strategy before it even begins. […]
Quadrant

The Temptations of Unfreedom Revisited

In early 2004, a struggling German graduate contacted Lord Ralf Dahrendorf for guidance, leading to opportunities that highlighted Dahrendorf’s commitment to intellectual integrity and resistance against totalitarianism, especially in contemporary politics. […]
Research reports

In the Meantime

Interconnected crises affect civilisation, and investors must adapt to an emerging, increasingly tribal and less rational world. […]

EU is ignoring economics 101: those who spend must also pay

Newsroom

24/02/2026 0

The case against Eurobonds remains strong because of the moral hazard they create by enabling national governments to spend irresponsibly while shifting costs. Sound economic principles must prevail despite rising geopolitical pressures. […]

the word trading spelled out in scrabble letters

Dismantling the competition myth

17/02/2026 0

Australia’s economic transformation since the 1980s resulted more from Hawke-Keating reforms that opened markets than from the Trade Practices Act. Effective competition arises from fewer barriers, not merely regulations.

[…]

New law, old mistakes

13/02/2026 0

The Resource Management Act 1991 has driven up housing prices and failed environmentally, prompting the New Zealand Government’s plans for new legislative reforms. However, key protections and definitions remain inadequate in proposed bills.

[…]

time lapse photography of lighted suspension bridge

Voters Hungary for change: It’s the economy, stupid

10/02/2026 0

Hungary’s Premier Orbán faces challenges as economic issues and corruption allegations threaten his regime. Péter Magyar’s TISZA party gains support, promising reforms while highlighting the struggles of ordinary citizens amidst rising prices.

[…]

New Zealand’s new reality

05/02/2026 0

New Zealand is negotiating a critical minerals deal with the U.S. under pressure for quick compliance, reminiscent of extraction rather than traditional ally negotiations, impacting security and expectations significantly.

[…]

the beehive building in wellington new zealand

Time to reform how governments reform

04/02/2026 0

At the World Economic Forum, Mark Carney emphasised the need for middle powers to reform their policy-making systems. New Zealand’s recent reforms highlight the challenges of bureaucracy and accountability in achieving lasting change.

[…]

Donald Trump, the Kaiser in Mar-a-Lago

27/01/2026 0

Comparisons to Hitler are wrong. Trump is more like Kaiser Wilhelm II: an erratic media monarch dismantling the guardrails of democracy to satisfy his own fragile, dangerous ego.

[…]

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Views from Wellington

Voters will decide whether to punch holes in Europe’s nuclear umbrella

The Temptations of Unfreedom Revisited

In the Meantime

EU is ignoring economics 101: those who spend must also pay

Dismantling the competition myth

New law, old mistakes

Voters Hungary for change: It’s the economy, stupid

New Zealand’s new reality

Time to reform how governments reform

Donald Trump, the Kaiser in Mar-a-Lago

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