Economics for extraordinary times
The combination of economic turmoil and the Government’s political weakness may be a toxic combination. [...]
New Zealand
NZ’s most transparent government? Under Jacinda Ardern it’s the opposite
Despite a stated intention to bring public participation and transparency to New Zealand’s democracy, none of this has been achieved. Ardern’s government stands for the opposite. [...]
Three Waters bill, Covid fund allocation may be legal but not in spirit of democracy
New Zealand has a good democratic system. With the right democratic spirit, our country will blossom as a true liberal democracy. [...]
It’s cruel only to sound kind
Before I hear one more grand vision from this Government, I would love to see them tackle at least one problem satisfactorily. [...]
Some more equal than others? NZ has more in common with Orwell than the Magna Carta
times are changing, and in few places are they changing as rapidly as in New Zealand. Something radically different is emerging in New Zealand’s legal system. [...]
Once world-class, NZ’s education system is now a disaster. How do we fix it?
The challenge for the current generation of politicians is to have the courage to admit just how bad our education system has become. And then they need to have the courage to discard what is wrong and start again. [...]
Inflation and the smoking gun in the case of NZ’s central bank
Never in the past two decades has the RBNZ deviated so much from where it should have set its OCR. The difference is so enormous, it calls into question the RBNZ’s professional judgement. [...]
To save our cities, ask urban economists
Urban economists have explained why cities are important. They have also told us how to make them work better. Now we just need politicians, bureaucrats and city planners to listen to them. [...]
Save our cities
In the past two years, New Zealand’s cities have lost population while the country as a whole has grown. [...]
New Zealand is now worse off than ever
There are two reasons why Ardern’s half-decade seems much longer. First, it was a time packed with events. And second, Ardern has left her mark on New Zealand. [...]