Dr Oliver Hartwich

Views from Wellington

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Month: February 2023

electric towers during golden hour
The Australian

When politicians get caught in economics denialism

28/02/2023
When politicians talk nonsense about economics, it often goes unnoticed. This is likely both because nonsense is such a routine occurrence in democratic politics, and because many people cannot distinguish economic sense from nonsense.

[…]

toppings on a bread slices
Insights

Not your average canape chat

24/02/2023
Few people attend business functions because of the speeches. No matter the speaker, these events are usually networking opportunities.

[…]

people walking in front of piazza venezia
Newsroom

Giorgia Meloni – Europe’s unlikely new political superstar

21/02/2023
Italy’s Prime Minister was scathing. Accusing Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy of causing the destruction of his own country, the Prime Minister swore never to meet with him.

[…]

Map of New Zealand with a red pin in Wellington
The Australian

Hipkins clearing the decks

14/02/2023
A new broom sweeps clean. For Chris Hipkins, New Zealand’s new Prime Minister, this saying could not be more apt.

[…]

the beehive building in wellington new zealand
Insights

Hipkins puts policy back on the agenda

10/02/2023
Considering Chris Hipkins’ reputation as a policy wonk, this week’s ‘bonfire of policies’ is quite remarkable.

[…]

germany flag in front of building
Newsroom

The understandable reluctance of Germany to send tanks to Ukraine

07/02/2023
It is hard enough to understand the Germans in the best of times. Yet, in these times of crisis and war, even a native speaker may find it difficult to comprehend them.

[…]

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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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.

Latest video

AI, context, and New Zealand’s data center future

6 October 2026 · More videos

Latest audio

  • Free to Disagree · 6 November 2026 · 56 min

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

    Listen
  • Initiative podcast · 5 November 2026 · 32 min

    Why an ageing New Zealand is an opportunity, not a burden

    Listen
  • Radio NZ · 2 November 2026

    Why New Zealand needs a fiscal watchdog

    Listen

All interviews and podcasts

Free to Disagree

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

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The New Zealand Initiative
Level 12, Bayleys Building
36 Brandon Street
Wellington 6011, New Zealand
+64 4 499 0790
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