Reports & Media

Correction – 6 August 2025 A previous version of this press statement did not accurately describe how some vehicles, including electric vehicles, already pay Road User Charges (RUC). The statement below is the corrected version. Read more

In this episode, Oliver Hartwich talks to Michael Johnston about the government’s proposal to replace New Zealand’s National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) after more than two decades. They discuss how the current system, with its fragmented assessments and focus on collecting credits, has weakened learning. Read more

Wellington (Monday, 4 August 2025) – The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the Government’s announcement to replace NCEA with a more rigorous qualification system, marking a crucial turning point for New Zealand education. The proposed reforms – including compulsory English and Mathematics at Year 11, structured subject requirements and clearer A-E grading – directly address the fundamental flaws The New Zealand Initiative has identified through years of research. Read more

On his show on Newstalk ZB, John MacDonald discussed the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's report on NCEA's limitations in preparing students for career pathways, specifically highlighting the system's over-emphasis on university education. He referenced Dr Michael Johnston's research that 44% of school leavers aren't enrolled in tertiary education and only 6% end up in work-based training. Read more

In this episode, Oliver talks to Professor Barbara Oakley about her six-month stint as a visiting senior fellow at The New Zealand Initiative, marking her farewell to her time here in New Zealand. Reflecting on her work here, Barbara shares insights into education, discussing the challenges of student-centred learning, her work with the Initiative, and the video project she's created with Michael Johnston to help transform teaching approaches. Read more