Our emphasis on strengthening these features of the Bill also reflects our view that it is desirable to allow local authorities to use risk management techniques to manage existing liabilities prudently rather than just at the time of borrowing. Read more
This paper is a critical review by the NZBR of the December 1994 report by Energetics Pty Ltd and George Wilkenfeld & Associates for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority of New Zealand. Read more
I have been asked to review issues raised by the International Labour Organisation ('the ILO') in response to a complaint ('the complaint') dated 8 February 1993 made by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions ('the NZCTU'). In substance the complaint is that the Employment Contracts Act 1991 (NZ) ('the Act'), which came into operation on 15 May 1991, does not accord with principles adopted by the ILO in relation to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Read more
The reforms proposed in the Industry Training Bill are likely to produce training more closely related to the needs of the industry and more dynamic in its response to changing needs. Nevertheless, the gains from these reforms will fall short of what might be achieved because of a number of conditions in the Bill for recognising and funding Industry Training Organisations. Read more
The NZBR is interested in encouraging the adoption of policies which maximise the efficiency of the electricity industry. It has participated in previous reviews of the industry, presenting a major submission on pricing issues to the government in 1985, and it has supported the formation of the Electricity Corporation as a state-owned enterprise and the deregulation of the generation market. Read more
The NZBR's interest in the Financial Reporting Bill (the Bill) stems from its desire to promote policies which will enhance the efficiency of New Zealand's equity and debt markets. These markets play a key role in allocating resources among alternative uses and they facilitate competition for the control of large publicly-held companies. Read more
The Bill is designed to provide a legal framework for the operation of the proposed Takeover Panel, including the formation of a takeover 'code'. In addition, the Bill offers some generalised guidelines to the Panel in its tasks and provides for enforcement of compliance with any code devised by the Panel and approved by the Minister of Justice. Read more
The NZBR has been a longstanding advocate of fundamental reform of the Accident Compensation Scheme. It is a major policy programme with a significant impact on New Zealand's international competitiveness, the capacity of the economy to grow and create jobs, and individual well-being. Read more
The general analysis on which our comments are based is an NZBR study, Retirement Income Provision, which sought to address the retirement income issue in a comprehensive way. The central finding of this study was that the future welfare of retired New Zealanders is fundamentally dependent on an increased output of goods and services from the economy. Read more
The NZBR has participated in reviews of New Zealand's disaster insurance arrangements because of the importance which it attaches to the establishment of an adequate set of policies to mitigate the economic consequences of a major disaster. Risk management techniques such as disaster insurance form part of this set of policies. Read more
Recent reviews of New Zealand education have made a strong case for greater decentralisation of education administration and self-management of individual public schools. The changes recommended include the establishment of local boards of trustees, agreed charters for each school and the deregulation of decision making over school operations. Read more
Scientific findings on the 'greenhouse' hypothesis are much less certain than implied in the paper prepared by officials. There is no agreement among scientists as to the existence or potential severitty of the hypothesised effect. Read more
The Reserve Bank bill represents a significant step towards improving New Zealand's chances of entrenching a much lower rate of inflation for the future than it has been able to achieve in recent decades. Read more