Newstalk ZB: Mike Hosking discusses Dr Michael Johnston's reception at education conference

On his show on Newstalk ZB, Mike Hosking discussed Dr Michael Johnston's reception as a guest speaker at a recent education conference, where he faced an unprofessional response from teachers and unionists. Hosking and his guests Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby criticised the behaviour as childish, with Wilson praising Dr Johnston for continuing to deliver his speech. Read more

Mike Hosking, Tim Wilson and Kate Hawkesby
Newstalk ZB
7 November, 2025

A professional standards dilemma

Earlier this week, teachers’ unions accused Minister of Education Erica Stanford of a “blatant power grab.” This followed Stanford’s announcement that the Teaching Council will no longer set professional standards for teacher training. The Ministry of Education will take over this responsibility. Read more

Dr Michael Johnston
Insights Newsletter
7 November, 2025
Research Note Better health through data with outline

Better health through better data

This research note reveals how adding GP clinic data to government databases could transform healthcare outcomes while cutting costs. The research note, “Better health through better data” by Adjunct Fellow Dr Prabani Wood, shows that while government can track hospital visits, prescriptions and even school attendance, it cannot see clearly what happens in GP clinics – where most healthcare occurs. Read more

Research note
4 November, 2025

Media release: GP data blind spot leaves New Zealand’s health system guessing

Wellington (Tuesday, 4 November 2025) - The New Zealand Initiative today releases a research note revealing how adding GP clinic data to government databases could transform healthcare outcomes while cutting costs. The research note, “Better health through better data” by Adjunct Fellow Dr Prabani Wood, shows that while government can track hospital visits, prescriptions and even school attendance, it cannot see clearly what happens in GP clinics – where most healthcare occurs. Read more

Media release
4 November, 2025

Newstalk ZB: Andrew Dickens discusses Dr Prabani Wood's call for systematic GP data collection

Dr Prabani Wood's research note "Better health through better data" was discussed on Newstalk ZB, with host Andrew Dickens interviewing Dr Angus Chambers, chair of the General Practice Owners Association. Dr Chambers endorsed Dr Wood's call for the government to systematically collect GP clinic data to improve health outcomes and reduce costs, emphasising that GP governance over the data would be essential to maintain patient trust. Read more

Andrew Dickens and Angus Chambers
Newstalk ZB
4 November, 2025

A serious case for more MPs

This week, we released our latest report, MMP after 30 years: Time for Electoral Reform? Amidst a long list of recommendations to improve our electoral system, one sparked a particularly strong reaction – that Parliament be increased from 120 members to 170. Read more

Insights Newsletter
31 October, 2025
sean plunket square

The Platform: Nick Clark on why New Zealand needs more MPs

Nick Clark talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about the Initiative's report recommedning Parliament to 170 MPs and introduce four-year terms. He explained that New Zealand's parliament is undersized compared to similar countries and that more MPs would prevent overhang seat issues while improving geographic representation and parliamentary scrutiny. Watch below. Read more

Sean Plunket
The Platform
31 October, 2025

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