Government for beginners
They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But you sure can teach new dogs some old tricks. Read more
27 October, 2017
Why is transport provision responsive to government rather than the people that use it?
In my previous piece for Interest, I wrote that government agencies’ response to the rising road toll was inadequate. The Ministry of Transport, the NZ Transport Agency and the Police each essentially blamed drivers. Read more
27 October, 2017
"Increasing minimum wage will cost jobs"
The new government has suggested a $20 minimum wage in 2021, is the same as a $17.50 minimum wage today. Eric Crampton tells Mike Hosking there are already good numbers from MBIE around the effects of minimum wage increases. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
25 October, 2017
What does the new government mean for immigration?
The new government will follow Labour's policies with immigration, the coalition agreement with NZ First has revealed. The document made public yesterday briefly outlined how the parties together would 'ensure work visas issued reflect genuine skills shortages.' There's also a promise to take 'serious action on migrant exploitation,' but didn't mention any specific number cuts, or what visa categories such cuts would come from. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
25 October, 2017
How not to save lives
In the DC comic story, a flying Superman spies Lois Lane tied across a railroad line. A fast-moving passenger train is but metres away. Read more
Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM
20 October, 2017
A shoddy tale of irresponsible regulation
A NZIER report released this week discredits a WorkSafe NZ safety programme that started in November 2011. The programme aims to reduce workplace falls from heights of below 3 metres. Read more
Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM
20 October, 2017
Congratulations, New Zealand
Almost a month after the election, New Zealand is about to have a new government. Yes, other countries take longer to negotiate coalitions. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
20 October, 2017
Long live the interregnum
If no person’s life, liberty or property are safe while Parliament is in session, what’s the rush to have a new government? As I write this column, no coalition has been struck. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
20 October, 2017
Media release: NZIER report vindicates The New Zealand Initiative’s criticisms of WorkSafe NZ’s safety campaign
Wellington (19 October 2017): Yesterday, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment released a NZIER report that discredits a WorkSafe NZ safety campaign that started in November 2011. In our report, A Matter of Balance: Regulating Safety, in July 2015, we criticised the government and officials for launching a costly campaign to reduce workplace falls from heights of less than three metres. Read more
19 October, 2017
Sam Warburton on Breakfast about the roadtoll
The number of people killed on our roads has continually risen over the last four years. Sam Warburton explains why on Breakfast. Read more
19 October, 2017
Dr Oliver Hartwich on 2GB about Winston's decision
Oliver Hartwich talks to Ross Greenwood on 2GB, Sydney's premier news and talk radio station, about Winston Peters deciding to back Jacinda Ardern as the next Prime Minister of New Zealand. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
19 October, 2017
Improving safety on New Zealand's roads
Sam Warburton says authorities should have identified the rising trend in road deaths sooner and could have saved lives by acting faster to improve safety. Radio NZ interviews him about this subject. Read more
16 October, 2017
Dan Mitchell on The AM Show about Trump's policies
To help us make sense of what Trump's policies mean for America's trading partners like New Zealand, we are hosting a special members’ lunch with U.S. economist and political commentator Daniel J. Read more
16 October, 2017
Is the road toll actually increasing?
The discussion about the road toll has risen in recent weeks. Larry Williams asks Sam Warburton whether the road toll is actually increasing when you also look at things like population growth and the numbers of cars on the road. Read more
16 October, 2017
"Authorities could have identified a rising road toll earlier and done more to save lives"
Sam Warburton looked at the data and gives Alison Mau his overview of the situation we are currently in with road deaths. Read more
16 October, 2017