Dr Oliver Hartwich

Notes from New Zealand

  • Home
  • About
  • Points of view
    • Democracy and how we vote
    • Localism
    • Public money and the state
    • Housing and cities
    • Money and central banks
    • Population and migration
    • Climate and energy
    • Why some countries prosper
    • Germany
    • Europe, the euro and Britain
    • Trade and the world order
    • Liberalism and reason
  • Publications
    • Research reports
    • Speeches
    • The New Zealand Herald
    • The Australian
    • Newsroom
    • Insights
    • Quadrant
    • National Business Review (2010–2020)
    • Business Spectator (2009–2016)
    • Ideas@TheCentre (2009–2012)
    • Inside Politics (2007–2008)
    • In German
  • In the media
    • Print and online
    • TV
    • Radio
      • German radio
      • ‘Life Matters’ (2008–2011)
    • Free to Disagree podcast
    • The New Zealand Initiative podcast
    • Love me or loathe me
  • Archive
  • Gallery
  • Contact

May 2022

saint basil s cathedral and spasskaya tower in red square moscow russia
Newsroom

An adverse reaction the Kremlin did not see coming

31 May 2022

The strategic implications of Putin’s war against Ukraine keep evolving as the conflict enters its fourth month.

pile of gold round coins
Insights

How central banking lost its way

27 May 2022

Stability is the task for which central banks were established.

Supermarket in Tapawera, New Zealand.
The Australian

NZ’s revolution in central banking and the stagflation monster

25 May 2022

In Māori mythology, the hero Māui once used a magic jawbone to slow the sun.

The Beehive and Parliament House, May 2026.
Insights

The Whistling-in-the-Dark Budget

20 May 2022

Reality obviously has not caught up with this Government yet.

soldiers-military-usa-weapons-87772.jpeg
Newsroom

Putin’s war has changed the pacifist reflexes of Europe’s left

17 May 2022

Of all the developments triggered by Putin’s war, the left’s departure from pacifism may be the most surprising one.

green field under white and blue clouds during daytime
Insights

Bridges to Ukraine

13 May 2022

International junkets for public servants are not my cup of tea.

Flags on the forecourt of the Beehive at New Zealand’s Parliament in Wellington.
The Australian

The foreign policy lessons NZ should learn from Germany

11 May 2022

When it comes to their foreign policy issues, you might not think Germany and New Zealand have much in common.

building construction site work
Insights

Too much of a good thing

6 May 2022

Successful economies have low unemployment.

The front of a Russian 500-rouble banknote.
Newsroom

Big rouble in little Europe

3 May 2022

Europe will face difficult monetary conditions for years to come.

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.

More about me

My points of view

Search

Browse the archive by month and topic

Subscribe

New columns by email, two or three a week. Free, and you can leave any time.

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

Stay connected

  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Spotify
  • Radio interviews
  • New articles
  • Privacy
  • Log in

© Dr Oliver Hartwich

Loading Comments...