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Dr Eric Crampton talked to Corin Dann on RNZ's Morning Report about Labour's proposed NZ Future Fund, alongside Simplicity co-founder Sam Stubbs. Dr Crampton raised concerns about the fund's restrictions on asset sales and questioned whether it would create economic fragility rather than resilience, arguing that the $800 million in diverted dividends would need to be replaced through spending cuts or tax increases. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about Labour's Future Fund proposal, explaining how it differs from New Zealand First's similarly named policy and noting it lacks detail on funding and operations. Dr Hartwich highlighted contradictions between the fund's dual mandate, compared it unfavourably to Singapore's Temasek Fund, and identified protecting state assets from privatisation as the real political purpose behind the proposal. Read more

Kerre Woodham discussed our report "Owning Less to Achieve More" on Newstalk ZB, which advocates for housing vouchers instead of state-owned housing. Woodham endorsed the report's findings that government housing vouchers would empower vulnerable tenants by giving them choice in landlords, whilst highlighting the report's criticism of Kāinga Ora's high maintenance costs and inefficient management. Read more

Wellington (Thursday, 16 October 2025) - Why does the government need to continue owning or managing more than 77,000 housing units, given its poor track record in this area, especially when state assistance can be provided without extensive government ownership? And why does it not release more land for housing? Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson talked to Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB about his report finding that operating Kainga Ora's 77,000 state houses costs twice as much as the private sector. He argued for transferring state housing to community housing providers or tenants themselves, citing international examples and emphasising the need to empower tenants with more housing options. Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson talked to Wallace Chapman on RNZ's The Panel about the our report "Owning Less to Achieve More", which proposes housing vouchers for state housing tenants as an alternative to direct government ownership. Dr Wilkinson explained how vouchers could empower tenants through provider choice, similar to the pre-school education model, while panellists Sue Bradford and Dean Hall debated the importance of housing stability versus addressing inefficiencies in the current system. Read more