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Demystifying the State

This report challenges common perceptions of New Zealand's state sector and calls for fundamental reforms to improve its performance. The report "Demystifying the State", authored by Dr Tony Burton, provides an in-depth analysis of how the state sector functions, moving beyond idealistic portrayals to examine its real-world limitations and potential for improvement. Read more

Dr Tony Burton

Research Report

10 September, 2024

Media release: New report demystifies the state sector and calls for reform

EMBARGOED UNTIL 2.30 PM, TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER Wellington (Monday, 9 September 2024) - A new report from The New Zealand Initiative challenges common perceptions of New Zealand's state sector and calls for fundamental reforms to improve its performance. The report "Demystifying the State", authored by Dr Tony Burton, provides an in-depth analysis of how the state sector functions, moving beyond idealistic portrayals to examine its real-world limitations and potential for improvement. Read more

Dr Tony Burton

9 September, 2024

We are better off when the state is less fun

People with office jobs typically find it hard to explain what they do. Government officials are no exception. Read more

Dr Tony Burton

NZ Herald

6 September, 2024

Lessons in market signals as electricity crisis recedes (for now)

Misguided good intentions paved the way for this winter’s energy crisis. Fortunately, the country has avoided blackouts. Read more

Roger Partridge

Insights Newsletter

30 August, 2024

The stupid outrage industry

Classic-era Simpsons episodes may not have had the solutions to all of life’s problems, but they did get a few things right. Be sceptical of monorail salesmen. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

Insights Newsletter

30 August, 2024

Localism: NZ needs a better system

A short walk from Wellington’s shiny Tākina Convention Centre, a burst water main floods Kent Terrace. This contrast between impressive civic buildings and failing infrastructure captures local government's challenge: finding a balance between ambition, financial responsibility, independence and accountability. Read more

Nick Clark

NZ Herald

29 August, 2024

A prescription for better regulation

A Bargain Chemist in Upper Hutt has been unable to dispense prescriptions since it opened in 2022. Its website simply notes “Prescriptions not currently available”. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

Newsroom

27 August, 2024

Difficult to see method in the Government’s moves to tackle youth vaping

Captain Williard’s response to Colonel Kurtz’s question about his methods, in Apocalypse Now, is among the most classic lines in cinema. Kurtz, who had clearly gone mad, asked Willard whether Willard saw Kurtz’s methods as unsound. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

The Post

26 August, 2024

The Pulse of Local Government

A new survey reveals that local councils across New Zealand want more power to make decisions for their communities, rather than having rules set by the central government in Wellington. The New Zealand Initiative, an independent think tank, surveyed New Zealand's mayors, councillors, and council chief executives. Read more

Research Note

23 August, 2024

Podcast: The Pulse of Local Government: Insights from New Zealand's Councils

In this podcast episode, Oliver interviews Max Salmon about the findings of a recent survey of New Zealand local government officials, detailed in his latest research note called "The Pulse of Local Government." The survey reveals that local councils generally desire more autonomy from central government, feel financial pressures from population growth, and support localism, but also highlights some contradictions in their views on amalgamation and their relationship with ratepayers. Read Max Salmon's research note "The Pulse of Local Government" here. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

23 August, 2024

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