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Research Note: Unemployment Insurance - A recipe for more unemployment?

When presenting Budget 2021 in May, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced that an unemployment insurance (UI) scheme was being developed for New Zealand. Prior to this, the Productivity Commission had considered UI as part of its inquiry into technological change and the future of work, as had the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Read more

Research Note
11 November, 2021
Cover Illusions of History

Illusions of History: How misunderstanding the past jeopardises our future

Closing his 2020 Budget speech, Finance Minister Grant Robertson looked back to the First and Fourth Labour governments for lessons on how to tackle New Zealand’s current economic challenges. His first history lesson was that the way forward today lay in the “great traditions of the First Labour Government” (1935–49) that “rebuilt New Zealand after the Great Depression” under Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage. Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM
Research Report
20 September, 2021
Cover What happened on Black Monday by Carl Hansen

Research Note: What happened on Black Monday?

Last week, on Monday 9 August, very cold weather over most of the country meant national electricity demand reached a record high. About 35,000 consumers (1.75% of consumers) experienced power outages between 7 – 9 pm. Read more

Carl Hansen, Former Chief Executive of the New Zealand Electricity Authority (2010 – 2018)
Research Note
18 August, 2021
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Research Note: To Graduation and Beyond

The purpose of secondary schooling varies depending on who you ask. For many parents, educators, and education professionals, schooling is meant to transmit the most ‘powerful’ knowledge that exists. Read more

Research Note
10 June, 2021
ETS FAQ cover image

The Emissions Trading Scheme FAQ

The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) uses prices to lower emissions. The scheme launched in New Zealand in 2008 and it is now one of the best-designed schemes in the world. Read more

Research Note
30 March, 2021
Risky place to do business cover

Policy Point: A risky place to do business

On Tuesday morning, 23 March 2021, the Government announced a set of housing policies that, among other things would substantially change the tax treatment of interest payments on residential investment properties. The changes to tax policy are substantial. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton
Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM
Policy Point
26 March, 2021
2020 Annual Report cover

2020 Annual Report

The year 2020 was one none of us will forget in a hurry. Lives were put on hold. Read more

Annual Report
22 March, 2021

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