New Zealand

Our islands of stability

New Zealand appears to be one of the few Western-style democracies still showing any signs of political stability. [...]

Housing reform vs populist gimmickry

It is hard to introduce populist policies without hurting the economy. That is the takeout from the Government’s decision to water down its planned restrictions on foreign property buyers. [...]

George Orwell would have had fun with the terms of reference of the Government’s Fair Pay Agreement Working Group. Practically none of these terms can be taken at their literal value, starting with the stated purpose. [...]

Revolutionary common sense

The counterrevolution started in Auckland last night. That is when the Initiative hosted British educator Katharine Birbalsingh for a dinner lecture in front of an audience of almost 300 teachers, school trustees, business leaders and politicians. [...]

To the Government’s credit

If politicians could make companies more productive and innovative by decree, they would have done so a long time ago. [...]

The price of diplomacy is worth paying

We should be prepared to defend government’s unpopular spending decisions where we believe them to be justified. The boost to New Zealand’s diplomatic capacity is just such a decision. [...]

An assault on representative democracy

The Waka Jumping Bill is more reminiscent of early 20th century Germany than suited to 21st century New Zealand. It would be an aberration of New Zealand’s democratic tradition if it were passed into law. [...]

Caution needed on value capture

As tempting it may appear to tap into land value uplifts, we need to be cautious. The model can work – but we need to apply it only in the cases where it can work. [...]