Dr Oliver Hartwich

Notes from New Zealand

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ACC

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Insights

Better on the books

26 June 2026

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) pays for the care and recovery of people hurt in accidents.

physiotherapist and patient exercising
The New Zealand Herald

ACC measuring wrong figure when it comes to getting people back to work

25 June 2026

The Accident Compensation Corporation exists to mend people.

A physical therapist demonstrates equipment during a US Air Force clinic visit.
Research reports

Half a Turnaround: Why ACC’s recovery must be built on rehabilitation, not exits

24 June 2026

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), which funds injured New Zealanders’ care and recovery, has halted a decade of decline.

a therapist massaging the leg of a client
The Australian

When sacred cows become too holy to slaughter

23 October 2025

Every country has sacred cows: government programs beyond criticism even when failing.

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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Latest video

All TV appearances · Playlist on YouTube

Latest audio

  • 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
  • Initiative podcast · 5 November 2026 · 32 min

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

    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

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