Research reports

The New Zealand Initiative opposes the Modern Slavery Bill, citing ineffective disclosure regimes, legal uncertainties, unfair penalties, and a misplaced focus on large entities rather than smaller businesses.

The Martian Audit is a satirical novella featuring Martian auditors who, upon encountering New Zealand’s bureaucratic absurdities, decide the country is not worth conquering, humorously critiquing public policy and governance.

New Zealand’s ministers lack control over departments, so my report suggests reforms to improve accountability by allowing ministerial appointments of chief executives, learning from OECD counterparts like Germany and Australia.

Interconnected crises affect civilisation, and investors must adapt to an emerging, increasingly tribal and less rational world.

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.

The New Zealand Initiative’s report emphasises learning from Dutch pragmatism, highlighting their cooperation, trust in institutions, and effective regulatory measures as key to achieving better outcomes.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has faced unfair criticism during the recession, as its efforts to control inflation were undermined by conflicting government fiscal policies, highlighting the need for better coordination.

The Western order is quietly disintegrating. Business leaders must adopt a long-term vision to restore this order’s Enlightenment foundations.