This week, Stuff reported on a story that seemed so absurd, it caught our attention: the idea to fence a pool on a remote island, just meters away from the Pacific Ocean. On Motukawaiti Island, 3.5km off Northland’s coast, authorities have mandated that a small swimming pool be enclosed. Read more
New Zealand has long enjoyed its reputation as one of the world's most transparent and business-friendly nations. Does it deserve this reputation? Read more
Australians are accustomed to a much deeper and more diverse media landscape than New Zealanders. Across the ditch, the media ecosystem can be startlingly shallow. Read more
Wellington (Wednesday, 17 July 2024) - The New Zealand Initiative today welcomed the government’s intention, stated in the Draft Emissions Reduction Plan, to rely on the Emissions Trading Scheme to achieve the Zero Carbon Act’s goal of net zero emissions from 2050. But it also urged measures that would strengthen the ETS. Read more
Policy problems should be dealt with by the level and part of government best placed to deal with them. Good public policy should recognise subsidiarity. Read more
I wonder whether Media Minister Paul Goldsmith appreciates the problem that he has caused for the tech sector, for media companies, for himself, and for his government. Before the election, National Party spokesperson Melissa Lee condemned Labour’s Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. Read more
My fellow Americans, I used to carry around this little book. Or maybe it was a big book. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton talks to Sean Plunket on The Platform about the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill. Watch below:
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New Zealand has an opportunity to reform its transport system. Road pricing can help create a smarter, more efficient transport network across our cities and highways. Read more
Folks, let me tell you about this thing, this beautiful, incredible thing we have. It’s called the Constitution. Read more
Last Thursday, as any readers not currently residing under rocks will know, there was a general election in the UK. Labour won big, earning the second largest parliamentary majority in the party’s history. Read more
New Zealand’s transport system has veered off course. Our cities are choked with traffic and our state highways are crumbling. Read more
The New Zealand Initiative's Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich and Senior Fellow Dr Matthew Birchall discuss Matthew's research note Driving Change: How road pricing can improve our roads. Read Driving Change here. Read more
Wellington (Wednesday, 10 July 2024) - The New Zealand Initiative is urging the government to abandon the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, warning that the proposed legislation could harm the very news organisations it aims to help. In a new research note, the Initiative argues that the bill, which would require large digital platforms to negotiate payment for news content with New Zealand media companies, is based on flawed premises and risks significant unintended consequences. Read more
In this episode, Matthew discusses his new report with Oliver which is about road pricing in New Zealand. They explore the history of road pricing, international examples, and potential benefits such as reducing congestion and improving infrastructure planning. Read more