Dr Oliver Hartwich

Notes from New Zealand

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Europe

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany.
ZB Plus

How Europe’s ‘culture of welcome’ backfired

18 October 2023

Hamas’ attacks on Israel have repercussions that extend beyond the Middle East.

boys looking through car wheel in slum
Newsroom

Europe’s refugee reboot

13 June 2023

Last week marked a significant milestone in Europe’s ongoing struggles to navigate the complex issue of migration.

single red pawn among colorful pawns
Newsroom

The far-right European pawns in Putin’s game

4 April 2023

It was a sight to behold. Last week, members of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) interrupted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech at the Austrian Parliament.

people walking in front of piazza venezia
Newsroom

Giorgia Meloni – Europe’s unlikely new political superstar

21 February 2023

Italy’s Prime Minister was scathing.

Painted city skyline that blends Istanbul and Budapest
Newsroom

Who needs enemies when you have friends like Orbán and Erdoğan?

9 August 2022

Despite the threats of Russia, China, and stagflation, Hungary and Turkey are backstabbing the organisations they belong to – Nato and the EU.

turkey flag hanging on bridge
Newsroom

Why Europe’s next war could be between Greece and Turkey

28 June 2022

At the moment, a war between Greece and Turkey seems unlikely because it would be an all-around catastrophe.

saint basil s cathedral and spasskaya tower in red square moscow russia
Newsroom

An adverse reaction the Kremlin did not see coming

31 May 2022

The strategic implications of Putin’s war against Ukraine keep evolving as the conflict enters its fourth month.

soldiers-military-usa-weapons-87772.jpeg
Newsroom

Putin’s war has changed the pacifist reflexes of Europe’s left

17 May 2022

Of all the developments triggered by Putin’s war, the left’s departure from pacifism may be the most surprising one.

beige analog compass
Newsroom

The West is back

22 March 2022

Putin’s war on Ukraine, and Zelensky’s heroism, force us all to take a stand.

demonstrations in solidarity with ukraine
Newsroom

No method in Putin’s madness

9 March 2022

Putin’s attack on Ukraine was a complete miscalculation.

Posts pagination

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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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