Month: March 2023

Former President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, once highlighted the challenge of getting re-elected after implementing necessary reforms. French President Emmanuel Macron faces a similar struggle, as his ambitious economic reform agenda has led to public dissatisfaction and political instability. Despite his effective reforms, his lack of political consensus may hinder his legacy.

The New Zealand Initiative has championed localism for over a decade, and these efforts have paid off. A recent poll commissioned by the Taxpayers’ Union revealed that 70% of New Zealanders support sharing new development tax revenue with local communities. This overwhelming endorsement indicates a widespread desire for greater local autonomy and signifies the mainstream acceptance of localism.

Anthony Albanese wasted no time asserting authority as Australia’s Prime Minister, swiftly replacing key department heads. In contrast, New Zealand’s bureaucratic system poses obstacles to ministerial influence, with a significant rise in public service size, limited ministerial control over appointments, and physical and organizational distance between ministers and departments. This presents a persistent challenge to potential government reforms.

The New Zealand Herald recently uncovered a government-commissioned University of Auckland report for the Ministry of Transport on financing transport infrastructure. The report used online conversations with 436 non-representative and biased participants and lacked valuable results. The study, while testing a new tool, failed to provide meaningful insights and wasted resources, tarnishing the reputation of external consulting.

The Hipkins Government dismissed Rob Campbell for making political statements, raising questions about New Zealand’s supposedly neutral public service. Comparing it to Germany uncovers interesting parallels.

The sacking of Rob Campbell sheds light on the urgent need to reform New Zealand’s public service. The politicization of the public sector, its resistance to change, and preference for central government programs are highlighted. Reform is crucial to modernize and improve the public service’s effectiveness and readiness for evidence-based reforms.