Evidence-based policy and journalism
“What do we want? Evidence-based policy! Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
12 April, 2019
Dr Oliver Hartwich
Executive Director
Oliver is the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative. Before joining the Initiative, he was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, the Chief Economist at the Policy Exchange in London, and an advisor in the UK House of Lords.
Oliver holds a master's degree in economics and business administration and a PhD in Law from Bochum University in Germany.
Oliver is available to comment on all of the Initiative’s research areas.
Phone: +64 4 499 0790
Recent Work
New research reveals no significant differences between schools of different deciles
Dr Oliver Hartwich discusses how our comprehensive, year-long econometric analysis buries the old myth that school quality is linked to school decile. Our findings are published in our latest Research Note, Tomorrow's Schools: Data and Evidence. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
8 April, 2019
New research on school performance released
Our latest research, Tomorrow's Schools: Data and Evidence, carried out over a year, looked at data of 400,000 students and revealed there are no significant differences in school performance between schools of different deciles. Dr Oliver Hartwich, the Initiative's Executive Director discussed our research on Radio New Zealand. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
8 April, 2019
NZ Initiative finds most schools have about the same impact on students' results
Dr Oliver Hartwich speaks to Guyon Espiner about our latest research, Tomorrow's Schools: Data and Evidence. This report comes at the end of a comprehensive, year-long data analysis of 400,000 students and shows that once family background is separated out, most schools have about the same impact on their students' learning - no matter their decile. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
8 April, 2019
The wisdom of David Cameron
Of all the people in the world, former British Prime Minister David Cameron is probably the last person anyone wants to listen to on Brexit. After all, it was Cameron’s idea to hold the 2016 referendum that started the downfall. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
2 April, 2019
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. You see, under Chatham House rules you cannot report or attribute anything that is said at the conference. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
29 March, 2019
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. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
24 March, 2019
They are us
Even three days after the Christchurch massacre, we are still looking for words to describe how we feel. Shock, disbelief and anger are on our minds. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
18 March, 2019
When superstition beats science
“A regional outbreak of an infectious disease requires emergency mass vaccinations of about 125,000 people.” What sounds like a report from the distant past or a developing country happened only this week, in New Zealand. Measles is back. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
15 March, 2019
Queenstown's visitor levy a cry for reform
When Queenstown Lakes District council announced a referendum last week on imposing a levy on visitors to the tourist hub, it made headlines around Otago. In fact, the proposal potentially has implications for infrastructure and tax reform across New Zealand. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
15 March, 2019
Is it the real deal?
After a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said new documents to be added to the Brexit deal provided "legally binding changes" to the part relating to the Irish border. Before UK MPs voted on the deal, Oliver Hartwich discussed with Larry Williams on Newstalk ZB if these changes are a real breakthrough. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
12 March, 2019
The worst job in global politics
British Prime Minister Theresa May masters the art of political flexibility. Over the past three years, she has held a variety of views on many Brexit issues. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
5 March, 2019
As Kiwi as pavlova
“Few ways are guaranteed to make yourself unpopular in New Zealand: try claiming that pavlova was an Australian invention; hating the All Blacks; or maybe expressing sympathy for local government.” This is the opening paragraph in our new publication #localismNZ: Bringing power to the people. We launched it yesterday at a joint symposium with Local Government New Zealand. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
1 March, 2019
#localismNZ: Bringing power to the people
A new survey reveals that the majority of those surveyed support a move towards local services being managed and provided by local decision-makers. With New Zealanders’ attitudes towards devolved government shifting, many believe now is the time to explore localism. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
28 February, 2019
"Bigger doesn't always mean better"
Oliver Hartwich introduces his new report #localismNZ: Bringing power to the people on Mike Hosking Breakfast. He also discusses the results of a new UMR poll that reveals the majority of those surveyed support shifting power from central government to local communities. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
28 February, 2019