Quadrant
The Warmth of the Herd
Voters are losing patience with democratic process, sliding from civilisation’s hard order back into the comfortable order of the tribe. Thinking in principles is hard; belonging feels good.
Month: December 2025
The Australian
When fiscal conservatives fall out, the books are in trouble
New Zealand’s fiscal crisis is highlighted by a public spat between Finance Minister Nicola Willis and former Minister Ruth Richardson, revealing deep structural deficits and political constraints in addressing them.
Insights
From blueprints to building
In 2025, New Zealand experienced a shift in attitudes as the government initiated significant reforms in housing, transport, and education, aiming for practical solutions and long-term improvements despite ongoing challenges.
The New Zealand Herald
Greyhound racing law change is legal overreach
The New Zealand Government’s bill to ban greyhound racing raises concerns about arbitrary power and lacks compensation provisions, undermining the rule of law and civil society rights.
Newsroom
The US ditching the rules-based order leaves NZ living on a prayer
The American conservative viewpoint has drastically shifted from Reagan’s commitment to alliances and internationalism to Trump’s transactional approach, endangering global stability and leaving allies, like New Zealand, vulnerable.
Insights
Directors who dodge their tax debts
Inland Revenue wrote off $694.5 million in tax debt due to companies engaging in phoenix activity, prompting proposals for stricter insolvency regulations in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Herald
The tax problem New Zealand cannot seem to solve
New Zealand’s tax collection faces ongoing issues with tax debt write-offs. There are strategies from Germany and Australia to hold directors accountable and ensure fairness.
The Australian
NZ’s zombie rock star economy
New Zealand’s economy in late 2025 shows conflicting signs: business confidence rises amid empty storefronts, a weakening population, and an unsteady recovery lacking strong fundamentals and genuine growth.
Research reports
Responsibility Before Ruin: A pre-emptive fix for NZ’s phoenix problem
New Zealand’s tax revenue suffers due to directors abandoning failing companies without consequence. Proposed reforms inspired by Germany aim to enforce accountability, shifting responsibility to directors before insolvency.