New Zealand

The Unreserved Bank

The RBNZ needs urgent clarification that the Monetary Policy Committee will only pursue monetary goals, even under conditions of quantitative easing. [...]

The Unreserved Bank of New Zealand

As the Reserve Bank takes on fiscal functions, its political neutrality and commitment to monetary stability, as well as maximum sustainable employment, need to be re-emphasised. [...]

Trans-Tasman monitoring

Given the past and current closeness of Treasury and the Reserve Bank, should not a monitoring agent be more removed from the object it is supervising? [...]

Winston Peters’ comments on the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre were candid. Where Western politicians have turned not upsetting China over its human rights record into an art form, the Foreign Minister left diplomatic niceties behind. [...]

From localism towards localism: A personal journey of policy discovery

Nothing in my work in Germany, Britain, Australia and now New Zealand has given me reason to doubt my basic beliefs: incentives matter; councils can work effectively when given the right incentives; and decision-making removed from the people it concerns creates problems. [...]

Evidence-based policy and journalism

“What do we want? Evidence-based journalism. When do we want it? After switching off your prejudices.” [...]

Chatham housing

When Housing Minister Phil Twyford spoke at the Initiative’s retreat last week, I had only one regret about having invited him: Our event is held under Chatham House rules. [...]

Equality of esteem in tertiary education

Germany and Switzerland have long been famous for exporting cars, machinery and chemicals to all parts of the world. They are now becoming well-known as exporters of their dual education model. [...]

Brief aus Neuseeland

In der letzten Woche ist das Weltgeschehen nach Neuseeland gekommen. Als Neuseeländer wünscht man sich nichts mehr, als dass es möglichst bald wieder verschwinden möge. [...]