It is often easy to take for granted the strong institutional backbones supporting highly-developed, western democratic nations like New Zealand. Robust rule of law, separation of powers, governmental accountability, personal freedom, private property protection, bodily autonomy and social safety nets tend to exist with little conscious thought – or even appreciation – by many. Read more
Everybody knows that inequality has been rising in New Zealand since the reforms of the 1980s. We know this because the media and politicians tell us so. Read more
National’s latest social housing announcements have left a lot of low-hanging fruit for critics. There is enough ambiguity for the Opposition to set the expectations of what good evidence-based reform would look like. Read more
Philosopher George Santayana’s quote about those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it is somewhat of cliché, but only because it is damned applicable. But if there is one situation where it seems to be most apt it is with Greece and its debt crisis. Read more
Chris Berg, one of Australia’s most outspoken thinkers and columnists, shares our frustration with the state of democracy. Chris Berg is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs. Read more
What now for Greece? Dr Oliver Hartwich discusses on TV One Breakfast on 2 July 2015. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich on Newstalk ZB: What's rotten in the EU? Read more
Should Greece leave the Eurozone? Dr Oliver Hartwich discusses the issue on the Paul Henry Show. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich on Newstalk ZB: Greece Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich on Radio Live with Sean Plunket: Greece Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich on NewstalkZB with Larry Williams: Eurozone Read more
As a researcher at a public policy think tank with a strong focus on economics, it is sometimes easy to take prices, and the influence they have on behaviour and innovation, for granted. Two recent incidents highlighted how powerful this mechanism can be. Read more
Wellington (29 June 2015): After five years of unsuccessful attempts to “save” Greece and keep it in the Eurozone, the dramatic events of the past days show that this strategy has failed disastrously. The country’s best hope is for a fresh start outside the Eurozone says Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich discussing the Greek crisis and possible exit from the Eurozone. Read more
For my sins in generally supporting consumer choice in food consumption, and in interests of fostering healthy debate, the Agencies for Nutrition Action invited me to argue with the Morgan Foundation’s Geoff Simmons on the merits of fat taxes and food regulation at his annual conference in Auckland a few weeks ago. The nutritionists put on an excellent conference. Read more