Dr Oliver Hartwich Views from Wellington

Insights

Birds of a feather

Voting for Forest & Bird’s ‘Bird of the Year’ opens today, featuring a unique election-themed twist and various bird parties with playful, clever campaigns reflecting New Zealand’s political landscape. […]
The Australian

NZ can reach orbit but can’t reach a decision

New Zealand’s military capability is limited, yet it excels in the space industry through Rocket Lab. The government’s inconsistent support hampers success, leaving future defence policies uncertain. […]
The New Zealand Herald

Town planners will finally have to answer for land prices

New Zealand’s recent planning law represents a significant shift, introducing an independent watchdog to monitor land prices and ensuring housing affordability, supported by a rare cross-party consensus for lasting impact. […]

organized stacks of paper bound with string

The New Mandarinate

Quadrant

30/08/2026

New Zealand’s immigration biometric project, initiated in 2018, wasted millions due to poor oversight and misleading advice from officials, raising concerns about bureaucratic accountability and governance challenges. […]

modern parliament building in wellington

Balancing the books is only half the job

Insights

28/08/2026

Both major parties in New Zealand promise budget surpluses and fiscal consolidation but need to address institutional reform for economic growth and competitiveness. […]

Why Labour’s capital gains tax policy is flawed

27/08/2026

At a panel discussion on capital gains taxes in Wellington, speakers largely criticised Labour’s proposal, highlighting its flaws such as lack of inflation adjustment and excessive exemptions, while agreeing on the need for better tax design.

[…]

reykjavik cityscape with expressionist neo gothic style hallgrimskirkja church

Spurred by heat from Trump, Iceland votes on reopening frozen EU talks

25/08/2026

Iceland is reconsidering its EU membership following the 2008 crisis and global tensions, with a referendum set to determine whether to resume EU talks, despite mixed public sentiment.

[…]

If I were PM: Fix the machine before the policies

23/08/2026

On my first day as prime minister, I would honestly address New Zealand’s decline, prioritise government reform over new initiatives, and focus on accountability and effective leadership in departments.

[…]

artisan bread display in a berlin bakery

There was only one thing about Bürgen that was German and it was not the bread

23/08/2026

New Zealand’s Bürgen bread, wrongly branded as German, originated in Auckland in 1987. Its departure to Australia highlights tensions in country branding and consumer perception.

[…]

the beehive building in wellington new zealand

Tactical voting could sink MMP

21/08/2026

Te Pāti Māori’s campaign strategy requests candidates’ votes for itself and party votes for allies, leveraging MMP’s overhang rule. This tactic could distort election outcomes, prompting reactions from voters.

[…]

How to sell assets – and win elections

21/08/2026

The New Zealand Government sold Chorus loans for $702 million, prompting discussions on asset management strategies amid rising debt. The election will reveal contrasting views on state-owned assets and their potential sale.

[…]

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Views from Wellington

Birds of a feather

NZ can reach orbit but can’t reach a decision

Town planners will finally have to answer for land prices

The New Mandarinate

Balancing the books is only half the job

Why Labour’s capital gains tax policy is flawed

Spurred by heat from Trump, Iceland votes on reopening frozen EU talks

If I were PM: Fix the machine before the policies

There was only one thing about Bürgen that was German and it was not the bread

Tactical voting could sink MMP

How to sell assets – and win elections

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