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
The Government’s recent housing package announcement primarily focused on measures to dampen housing demand, particularly from those who provide rental accommodation services, rather than the key drivers of inadequate housing supply. Focusing on these measures is likely to have little effect on housing affordability in the long run. Read more
Too many New Zealanders demand and expect too much from Government. One result is a never-ending cycle of disappointment and fruitless exhortation. Read more
New Zealand was not caught entirely flat-footed last January when Covid first began making itself known. But we were several steps behind Taiwan, whose Central Epidemic Command Centre was alert to the risk very early. Read more
It is said going to court means putting your fate in the hands of twelve people who were not smart enough to get out of jury duty. Which says a lot because avoiding jury duty is simply a matter of not turning up. Read more
I previously wrote about the gateway to property speculation, the Monopoly board game. In response, readers said that they wanted to play Monopoly with their kids but were worried that the original rules aren’t realistic enough. Read more
Is it okay not to have an instant opinion on the Government’s proposed health shake-up? There is no doubt the package, announced by Health Minister Andrew Little on Wednesday, is bold. Read more
Following the National Party's housing policy announcement, The New Zealand Initiative's executive director Dr Oliver Hartwich and the Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams discuss their views on fiscal incentives for councils as a way to encourage more houses to be built.
The New Zealand Initiative · Podcast: Oliver Hartwich and Jordan Williams discuss fiscal incentives for councils Read more
A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this spectre.” That was the beginning of The Communist Manifesto (1848) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Read more
During the Covid pandemic, the public has heard a lot about the precautionary principle. The Prime Minister referred to it when announcing every lockdown. Read more
Chief economist Dr Eric Crampton spoke on Newstalk ZB about the Government signing a memorandum of understanding with Amazon for a 25% subsidy on its Lord of the Rings TV series. He says film subsidy regimes are wasteful competition as countries scramble to attract film producers. Read more
Governments have a hard time planning for longer term risks. Unless a specific risk, like climate change, draws voters’ attention, it is more likely to be ignored. Read more
If you’d thought that sorting Wellington’s transport issues was at the heart of the latest efforts to solve Wellington’s transport issues, well, you don’t know Wellington. For the past five years, Let’s Get Wellington Moving has been consulting with over ten thousand people and 75 stakeholder groups. Read more
In our latest podcast, Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr Eric Crampton discuss what's been on their minds this week - including the Regulatory Responsibility Act and how policy regimes are becoming uncertain and unpredictable.
The New Zealand Initiative · Podcast: Oliver Hartwich and Eric Crampton share what's on their minds this week Read more
Between a policy idea and its political take-up, many years can pass. But that makes it even more satisfying when it eventually happens. Read more