Idiocy comes in many forms. Some people choose not to vaccinate their children. Others think it better to extract multiple teeth from school children rather than have them drink fluoridated water. Read more
Why did the libertarian chicken cross the road? None of your business! Read more
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 edition of Seafood New Zealand magazine, available here. Read more
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 edition of Seafood New Zealand magazine, available here. Read more
When New Zealanders look at Switzerland, they see a country that may superficially remind them of their own. Mountains, lakes and stunning scenery are features of both New Zealand and Switzerland. Read more
Wellington (30 October 2017): As the new Labour/NZ First Government pushes for stronger regional development, New Zealand should learn from the country that does regional development best. And that country is Switzerland, argues a new report by think tank The New Zealand Initiative. Read more
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The new Labour/NZ First government should be looking to Switzerland for inspiration when it comes to implementing some of its key policies, for example its unique local governance system. Oliver Hartwich explains why. Read more
National’s supporters on the right could have been forgiven for expecting a lot after the 2008 election. After three terms of Helen Clark’s Labour government, and National’s opposition to Labour’s policies, they had a right to. Read more
Judging by its coalition agreements, the new Government’s unofficial motto is not to do everything differently but to do a lot of things better. But not every change is for the better. Read more
Our newly sworn-in Government has about 1000 days to deliver on its campaign promises. Fixing the education system will take more time. Read more
They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But you sure can teach new dogs some old tricks. Read more
In my previous piece for Interest, I wrote that government agencies’ response to the rising road toll was inadequate. The Ministry of Transport, the NZ Transport Agency and the Police each essentially blamed drivers. Read more
The new government has suggested a $20 minimum wage in 2021, is the same as a $17.50 minimum wage today. Eric Crampton tells Mike Hosking there are already good numbers from MBIE around the effects of minimum wage increases. Read more
The new government will follow Labour's policies with immigration, the coalition agreement with NZ First has revealed. The document made public yesterday briefly outlined how the parties together would 'ensure work visas issued reflect genuine skills shortages.' There's also a promise to take 'serious action on migrant exploitation,' but didn't mention any specific number cuts, or what visa categories such cuts would come from. Read more