Changing New Zealand’s government
New Zealand First has often called for such a devolution of power. If they achieve that in coalition talks, it would be a legacy to be proud of. [...]
2017
MMP for beginners
If New Zealand wants to run under MMP, get used to its machinations. And if that is too Machiavellian for your taste, return to first-past-the-post. [...]
Let’s get apolitical
There is a world of good policy ideas out there. Whoever wins tomorrow’s election, let’s hope they engage with it. [...]
To end the short-termism of politics, we need to end short terms
Even those civic-minded idealists among us who still believe in democracy must admit that election times are the worst for sound and creative policy thinking. [...]
In the mood for policy change
To sum up the Mood of the Boardroom, there is an appetite for change in the business community. Not necessarily in a party-political sense but certainly in policy terms. [...]
When a hole is not a hole
The only hole we have in fiscal plans is independent scrutiny of Government’s and the parties’ numbers. [...]
The power of ideas
"The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else.” [...]
Jacinda from Hamilton is eerily familiar to Kevin from Brisbane
This New Zealand election has already surprised observers by being less predictable than anyone would have imagined. An unexpected coalition outcome would be a fitting conclusion to it. [...]
Acta non verba*
By all means, let’s increase our schools’ language teaching capacity. But let’s do it properly. [...]
Smashed avocados
Avocados have become a cultural phenomenon which leaves economists puzzled. [...]