If public policy and economic theory were dating, their Facebook relationship status might read “It’s complicated”. This is because what is sometimes simple to explain on a whiteboard by economists can often be difficult to prove in real life. Read more
You can tell how the mood of the global economy is turning by looking at the books getting published. Over the past few days, review copies of two new books landed on my desk. Read more
The power to say no is also the power to make the rules, or at least in part. Parliament legislates. Read more
The current issue of Policy Quarterly, published by Victoria University of Wellington, has a special focus on Budget 2015. It kicks off with an article by New Zealand Children's Commissioner, Richard Wills. Read more
Dr Hartwich on SBS Radio: Greece saved!? Read more
As the third Greek bailout package is currently being debated in eurozone parliaments, it is already becoming clear that it will not be sufficient. On Tuesday, the day before the Bundestag’s vote, two German broadsheets highlighted some of the uncertainties around the package. Read more
Watch Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland battle it out with the moot: This house believes that high house prices make us poorer as a nation. We will have panellists Phil Twyford, MP, Labour Party Housing Spokesperson and Andrew King, Executive Officer, New Zealand Property Investors Federation. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton on Radio NZ: Government looking at ways to add GST to online services Read more
Dr Bryce Wilkinson on Radio NZ: Largest foreign investor in NZ revealed. Read more
Watch the University of Canterbury and University of Auckland battle it out with the moot: This house believes that economic growth always comes at the expense of people and the environment. We will have panellists Sir Roger Douglas and Sue Bradford. Read more
Dr Bryce Wilkinson of The New Zealand Initiative discusses KPMG's Foreign Direct Investment analysis on TVNZ Breakfast, 17 August 2015. Read more
Online shoppers beware: getting that cheap paperback from Book Depository could get a lot harder. But, it will depend on just how the government goes about taxing direct-to-consumer imports. Read more
For reasons that evade me, the New Zealand media seem hell-bent on discussing the flag. Despite describing the referendum as a political distraction and a John Key ego campaign, the same media outlets continue to give the issue oxygen. Read more
With Labour’s bid to cultivate a fear of foreigners buying houses failing to sprout in the polls, the party is now looking to sow the same message to a more fertile field. The farming sector. Read more
Last week, the Prime Minister found words of consolation for people concerned about declining housing affordability. “Aucklanders are getting wealthier,” John Key said as he referred to front page stories about rising house prices in Auckland. Read more