Dr Oliver Hartwich

Notes from New Zealand

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Asia

Colourful Asian lanterns
Insights

New Zealand’s Asian century

31 July 2015

We ought to be celebrating the contribution of Asian New Zealanders more often.

Hong Kong skyline at night
National Business Review

Mercantilism colours Asia view

2 April 2015

This week, the Asia New Zealand Foundation released its annual survey of New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples.

Auckland Harbour Bridge viewed from Sentinel Bay.
Insights

In the sweet spot of the global economy

21 February 2014

With our sound institutions and our growing integration into the Asia-Pacific economic region, if any countries are able to grow, they are New Zealand and Australia.

A plaque at the Bank of Japan's north gate.
Other publications

Was lehrt uns Japans lange Krise?

24 June 2013

Die Wirtschaftsgeschichte lehrt, dass für eine solche Politik des billigen Geldes langfristig stets ein hoher Preis zu zahlen ist.

Singapore's city skyline at dusk.
The Dominion Post

Let’s get to know the neighbours – they’re having an economic party

13 July 2012

Instead of interacting across borders, why can’t we withdraw and enjoy the safety of home?

The Pudong skyline in Shanghai.
Speeches

World economy at the crossroads: European disasters and Asian opportunities

7 February 2012

The tectonic plates of the world economy are shifting.

Shipping containers and cranes at the Port of Singapore.
Business Spectator

Is Australia shy of the Asia boom?

27 October 2011

Australia may still be a lucky country (and perhaps it is still run by second-rate people), but the ‘tyranny of distance’ from the old centre of the West has turned into a blessing.

The post office in Samtse, Bhutan.
Ideas@TheCentre

Poverty does not make you happy

24 September 2010

There is nothing wrong with happiness, of course.

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

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

6 October 2026 · More videos

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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