David joined The New Zealand Initiative as a Senior Fellow after spending three years in the Economics Department of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Between 2003 and 2016 he worked in the New Zealand public sector, undertaking economic research and analysis for the Treasury, the Commerce Commission and the Electricity Authority.
David holds a PhD in economics from Victoria University of Wellington with a focus on policy evaluation in the areas of savings and housing.
Research Note: Rent Controls - The next mistake in housing policy (2021)
Research Note: Educational Performance and Funding in New Zealand: Are our children getting the education they deserve? (2021)
Policy Point: Minimum wages to the maximum: The risks of lifting the minimum wage (2020)
Policy Point: Misdirection on housing affordability unhelpful (2020)
Roadmap for Recovery: Briefing to the Incoming Government (2020)
Policy Point: Borrowing to Save: Retirement Income Policy after Covid-19 (2020)
Policy Point: For better or for worse - How governments respond to crisis (2020)
Policy Point: Relief measures: comparing Covid-19 wage subsidy schemes (2020)
Policy Point: Stay on Target (2020)
Policy Point: Short-time work to maintain employment (2020)
Scroll down to read the rest of David's work.
Phone: 04 494 9101
In colonial India, Delhi had a little problem with cobras. Since cobras can cause unpleasant things, like death, a solution was needed. Read more
Last week, The New Zealand Initiative released a paper outlining the perils of rent controls. It was fun to reminisce about our first year of economics study. Read more
Following the release of his recent research note, Rent controls: The next mistake in housing policy, Dr David Law highlights some of the issues of rent controls and explains why it is often older, and high-income earners who end up benefitting the most when rent controls are introduced.
The New Zealand Initiative · Podcast: David Law on the perils of rent controls Read more
Senior Fellow Dr David Law and Renters' United spokesperson Ashok Jacok discuss their views on rent controls on Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme. The government's housing package, released last month, primarily focused on measures to dampen housing demand, particularly from those who provide rental services, rather than the key drivers of inadequate housing supply. Read more
The government’s new housing package, announced in March, will increase rents, and reduce the supply of rental accommodation to the detriment of many. Pressure to intervene in the rental market is already mounting. Read more
Pressure to intervene in the rental market is growing. The government’s new housing package, announced in March of this year, will increase rents and reduce the supply of rental accommodation to the detriment of many. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr David Law discuss the details of the government's new housing package and what it will mean for the housing market, house prices and first home buyers. They also discuss the consequences for the rental market and the pitfalls of rent controls. Read more
The government is at it again. They blame everyone but themselves for high and increasing house prices resulting in low housing affordability. Read more
Oliver Hartwich, Eric Crampton, Bryce Wilkinson and David Law discuss the Government's new housing package.
The New Zealand Initiative · The Government's Housing Package Read more
Following the release of our latest report, Educational Performance and Funding in New Zealand: Are our children getting the education they deserve? Senior Fellow and co-author of the report Dr David Law delves into the results and explains that a high level of education spending doesn't always equate to a high level of performance in our schools. Read more
A well-functioning education system that delivers good outcomes for all is essential to New Zealand's future prosperity and the wellbeing of its people. However, there have been a number of recent reports highlighting our declining educational performance. Read more
A well-functioning education system that delivers good outcomes for all is essential to New Zealand’s future prosperity and its people's wellbeing. However, there have been a growing number of stories about New Zealand’s educational decline over recent months. Read more
A well-functioning education system is vital to equip our children for life. Educational Performance and Funding in New Zealand: Are our children getting the education they deserve? Read more
In this Quick Take episode, David Law responds to a joint paper released by Helen Clark Foundation and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research about the minimum wage. David reveals why raising the rate makes little economic sense at the best of times, and terrible sense during a recession. Read more
Last week, the Helen Clark Foundation and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research released a joint report (the HCF&NZIER report) calling for a higher minimum wage to reduce inequality and lift productivity. The minimum wage increased from $17.70 to $18.90 in April of this year. Read more