2020 Annual Report
The year 2020 was one none of us will forget in a hurry. Lives were put on hold. Read more
22 March, 2021
You searched everything for "" and got 458 results
Here's why we need to start charging for access to tourist hotspots
The recipe for creating conflict over scarce and congestible resources is really rather simple. Start with beautiful natural spaces that attract visitors. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
22 March, 2021
All hail the Technoking
Filings to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rarely have entertainment value. That is unless Elon Musk is involved. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
19 March, 2021
Govt v. Tobacco: The Tale of the Vape
In the classic Simpsons’ episode “The Old Man and the Lisa”, young environmentalist Lisa Simpson finally convinced the rather evil Mr Burns of the merits of recycling. Of course, it did not go well. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
17 March, 2021
A nation talking to itself
Once upon a time, Arthur Miller said, “A good newspaper, I suppose, is a nation talking to itself.” These days, many media outlets are talking only to segments of the population. For the New Zealand media, 2021 has been a year of cancellations. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
12 March, 2021
Submission: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990: Proposals for regulations
Read our submission, written by Dr Eric Crampton to The Ministry of Health. This submission is in response to the public consultation document, Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990: Proposals for regulation. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
11 March, 2021
The Theory of Human Stupidity
Humans are complicated. We are intelligent species that dominated the world with our knowledge and brilliance. Read more
5 March, 2021
RIP the great kiwi BBQ
It is 2035, and the Government’s new BBQ buyback scheme has begun. It is now illegal to cook with gas, and the police are cracking down on underground Weber parties. Read more
Steen Videbeck
26 February, 2021
Eric Crampton and Leon Grice discuss saliva-based PCR testing for Covid-19
New, accurate, and rapid saliva-based PCR testing for Covid-19 has started to be used in New Zealand, after being validated by the University of Illinois in 2020. The New Zealand Initiative Chief Economist, Dr Eric Crampton, and Rako Science Executive Director, Leon Grice, discuss the benefits of this test and how it makes daily testing possible for those who work at the New Zealand border. Read more
Dr Eric Crampton
19 February, 2021
Mastering the art of Democracy
A couple of weeks ago, in this place, I wrote about my humbling experience playing the new politics simulation Democracy 4. Running a country successfully and getting re-elected were near impossible tasks, I concluded. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich
19 February, 2021