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The incoming government has been entrenched in drawn-out coalition negotiations. Across the table from National Party leader Christopher Luxon sit the leaders of two minor parties, both basking in the now-fading glow of recent electoral successes, eagerly eyeing their slices of the economic pie. Read more

One of my grad school professors recommended Yes, Minister for better understanding the British public service. The series was superb. Read more

The outcome of New Zealand’s recent coalition negotiations marks only the beginning of the next three years of government. But the principles and policies outlined in the agreements suggest the country now has a reformist administration ready to rebuild the economy, refine regulations, and expand choice in social services. Read more

Real work begins for the new Government Whatever way you look at it, 2023 has been a long slog for the centre-right parties now trying to seal a coalition deal. The election campaign was unusually long. Read more

The same supervolcano that provides one of the country’s bigger sources of catastrophic risk could well prove part of the answer to one of the country’s bigger problems on the path to 2050. It also helps to illustrate one of the problems in New Zealand’s approach to planning for net zero. Read more

Everyone has a story: where they come from, what they believe in, what they strive for. Such self-mythologies can have powerful effects when they are based on positive values. Read more

We reserved this space in today’s newsletter to congratulate the new Government on taking office. If we have to wait another week or two, then so be it. Read more

The election has come and gone. While Wellington sits in stasis awaiting Winston’s next press scrum, New Zealanders might be forgiven for feeling that we’ve only recently been here before. Read more

Last week, I spoke on a panel at Microsoft’s GovTech Futures conference in Wellington. The event brought together IT professionals and public servants. Read more