Dr Oliver Hartwich

Notes from New Zealand

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May 2011

The European Central Bank’s Frankfurt headquarters during construction.
Business Spectator

Europe enters a wintery spring

19 May 2011

When the European Union presents its economic forecasts, it often does not receive much public attention.

Dimmable compact fluorescent light bulb.
Ideas@TheCentre

Light bulbs and set top boxes

13 May 2011

We have all heard many versions of the famous light bulb joke.

The stage of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.
Business Spectator

Eurovision notes EU disharmony

13 May 2011

have always wondered why SBS keeps broadcasting the Eurovision song contest year after year.

The Royal Palace in Oslo.
Business Spectator

Australia’s Norwegian doppelganger

4 May 2011

The much praised Norwegian SWF may not be as shining an example as it first appears.

About me

Oliver Hartwich

I run The New Zealand Initiative, a Wellington think tank that argues for free markets, limited government and institutions that work. I grew up in Germany's Ruhrgebiet and worked in London and Sydney before moving to New Zealand in 2012. This site collects two decades of my columns, reports, speeches and interviews, with the occasional satire.

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Latest video

All TV appearances · Playlist on YouTube

Latest audio

  • Free to Disagree · 12 November 2026 · 59 min

    Can the overhang save National?

    0:00
  • Newstalk ZB · 9 November 2026 · 8 min

    What the 2026 election shows about MMP

    0:00
  • Free to Disagree · 6 November 2026 · 56 min

    Why hasn’t New Zealand warmed to its prime minister?

    0:00

All interviews and podcasts

My books

Cover of The Martian Audit

The Martian Audit (2026)

Two Martian auditors land in the Wairarapa and are promptly fined for parking without consent. A satirical novella, free to download as PDF or EPUB.

Cover of In the Meantime

In the Meantime (2026)

Investing in a more tribal, less rational world. Written for the Da Vinci Lecture at the Portfolio Construction Forum. Free to read online.

Cover of Leonardo's Legacy

Leonardo's Legacy (2025)

Why investment professionals must become civilisational stewards. Written for the first Da Vinci Lecture at the Portfolio Construction Forum. Free to read online.

Free to Disagree

Free to Disagree podcast logo, with Damien Grant and Oliver Hartwich
Weekly podcast with Damien Grant

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