New Zealand deserves far better water management. Scores of newspaper articles and rigorous reports lay out the problems in the current system. Read more
A comprehensive and year-long econometric analysis of data for 400,000 students undertaken by The New Zealand Initiative reveals there are no significant differences in school performance between schools of different deciles. Adjusted for the different student populations they serve, the vast majority of New Zealand’s secondary schools create the education outcomes we would expect from them. Read more
The coalition government has committed New Zealand to a goal of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2035. Renewables already account for 83% of our electricity, and on current trends will generate up to 97% of our electricity in 2035 without any help from policy changes. Read more
The New Zealand Initiative aims to create a country that brings opportunity, prosperity and happiness to all its people. It is an overarching goal that is not left, right or centre. Read more
A new survey reveals that the majority of those surveyed support a move towards local services being managed and provided by local decision-makers. With New Zealanders’ attitudes towards devolved government shifting, many believe now is the time to explore localism. Read more
Executive SummaryTax Working Group’s proposed rate of capital gains tax one of the most penal in the world. The Tax Working Group’s report proposes a broad-based top rate of 33% capital gains tax. Read more
Executive SummaryRelative to income, dwelling prices in New Zealand are among the highest in the OECD. This is New Zealand’s housing affordability problem in a nutshell. Read more
New Zealand is one of a handful of countries to offer a universal non-means-tested benefit, payable from the age of 65 until death. Commentators insist that with an ageing population, New Zealand Superannuation (NZS) is unsustainable. Read more
This report looks at how good a job government is doing with all the tasks entrusted to it. The issue is important because government has come to command much of our resources. Read more
Tobacco policy in New Zealand has traditionally neglected the needs of smokers. The good news is that youth uptake of smoking has significantly declined. Read more
Confidence in the guardians of 21st century commerce really matters. If consumer confidence is misplaced, it can have disastrous consequences. Read more
New Zealand’s education system is designed not to measure performance. How can we tell whether policies intended to boost student performance are successful, or how much academic achievement matters for later life outcomes, if we cannot measure it? Read more
2017 was an extra special year for The New Zealand Initiative. We celebrated our fifth anniversary by producing more high-quality research. Read more
Education is about learning. However, as assessment expert Alison Wolf explains: …formal education is also, and intrinsically, about selection and certification… ~ Wolf, A. Read more
On 31 October 2017, the New Zealand Initiative requested the Ministry’s work on sugar taxes. In terms of the Official Information Act, I am requesting the following information about the Ministry of Health’s work on sugar taxes: All advice provided by the Ministry of Health to Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman regarding sugar taxes; All briefings and correspondence related to Professor John Gibson’s work on sugar taxes; All reviews and summaries of existing research about sugar taxes; Any meeting notes, PowerPoint slides, emails and correspondence regarding sugar taxes for any meeting of ELT. Read more