Eric Crampton is Chief Economist with the New Zealand Initiative.
He applies an economist’s lens to a broad range of policy areas, from devolution and housing policy to student loans and environmental policy. He served on Minister Twyford’s Urban Land Markets Research Group and on Minister Bishop’s Housing Economic Advisory Group.
Most recently, he has been looking at devolution to First Nations in Canada.
He is a regular columnist with Stuff and with Newsroom; his economic and policy commentary appears across most media outlets. He can also be found on Twitter at @ericcrampton.
Phone: +64 4 499 0790
In June, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand told us something surprising. It said it had never banned experts in monetary policy from serving as external members of the Monetary Policy Committee. Read more
Join Dr. Eric Crampton and Scott Wilson for a discussion about the recently released Government Policy Statement on land transport and a wider conversation about transport policy. You can also read Scott Wilson's recent blog post about what's wrong with New Zealand's land transport funding system here. Read more
Dr. Eric Crampton took part in the Free Speech Union Debate on whether we should tax the wealthy, initially moving to argue that the tax system is currently unfair for everyone. You can watch the entire debate here. Read more
Dr. Eric Crampton appeared on The Platform to talk with Sean Plunket about the National Party's tax plan. You can find a snippet of their conversation below. Read more
Dr. Eric Crampton appeared on RNZ's Morning Report to discuss National's recently announced tax plans and whether or not they are feasible.
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When land prices are wrong, it’s hard for anything to be right. When zoning makes it too hard to build in places where people want to live, land prices will be out of whack. Read more
When land prices are wrong, it’s hard for anything to be right. When zoning makes it too hard to build in places where people want to live, land prices will be out of whack. Read more
At the end of the Cold War, western governments substantially reduced military expenditure. US President Bush and UK Prime Minister Thatcher called it the “peace dividend.” It was not a “dividend” in any normal sense of the term. Read more
Dr. Eric Crampton appeared on The Platform to discuss the IMF's recent report.
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It has to be the silliest game of Cluedo going. Who caused the cost of living to blow out? Read more
I’m a fan of prizes for rewarding innovation. Prizes motivate. Read more
As the nation prepares to vote on 14 October, the sentiment across New Zealand is one of frustration and concern. Skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, strained healthcare, and a growing educational gap are the voices of a country looking for change. Read more
Join Phil Barry and Eric Crampton in this podcast as they delve into New Zealand's proposed tobacco policies. Together, they analyse the government's efforts to reduce smoking rates, particularly through Very Low Nicotine Content (VLNC) cigarettes. Read more
Shakedown rackets are, thankfully, illegal. Except when government legislates them. Read more
When the magician on stage flamboyantly waves the handkerchief with his left hand, it’s generally a good idea to keep an eye on what’s going on with the other hand. And I’ve failed that test. Read more