New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China?
Read MoreBalancing External Security and the Economy
Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?
A burst of grassroots support, a rush of donations, a new, surprise candidate sweeping into an election race crying out for some ‘stardust’. Could the US presidential election have echoes of New Zealand 2017?
Read MoreFlooding Housing Policy
The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.
Read MoreUnsurprising, but Trump shooting creates opportunity for a surprising response
As we unite to condemn the shooting at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania, can we honestly say we’re shocked? But perhaps this event could serve to unite a bitterly divided America behind a more peaceful path
Read MoreDems need to ask the right question about Biden as his age now defines the campaign
It was billed as a make-or-break new conference, but the fact is Biden’s cognitive ability is now on the ballot in November and the Democrats need to ask their own make-or-break questions
Read MoreLearning From Brexit
Whether Britain leaving the European Union was right or wrong, good or bad is for the Brits to decide. But there are lessons about international trade to be learned from Brexit, especially as it is very unusual for an economy to break so completely from its major training partner.
Read MoreThe Pharmac Fiasco
If you don’t understand how things work you make foolish mistakes. To explain how the government got into its cancer drugs muddle, we need to explain first how New Zealand’s pharmaceutical purchasing system works.
Read MoreWhat is Social Investment Analysis?
Evaluating the impact of social policies will be very difficult but the government does not seem to be doing much real evaluation.
Read MoreA debate to make the world tremble
The opening presidential debate of 2024 was like no other. This was an awful debate of lies and incoherence, dangerously far from the policy battles of only years ago; a debate of golf swings and porn starts rather than issues
Read MoreMainstreaming Māori
Mainstreaming need not be inherently anti-Māori. It will be if it is done badly because it will be anti-those-in need, and proportionally more of them are Māori.
Read MoreCoalition of the Unwilling?
What does Budget 2024 tell us about the current government? Muddle on?
Read MoreThe 2024 Budget Forecasts Are Gloomy About The Next Three Years.
There was no less razzamatazz about the 2024 Budget than about earlier ones. Once again the underlying economic analysis got lost. It deserves more attention.
Read MoreThe Taxpayers’ Union at Eleven
How to run a successful pressure group.
Read MoreThe Incredible Shrinking Nicola Willis
Nicola Willis delivered exactly what she promised at Election 2023 (more or less). But with the election in the rearview mirror, voters may be in for a less careful Willis in the years ahead as she promises cuts will be “business as usual”
Read MoreHas Labour Abandoned the Welfare State They Created in 1938?
The 2018 Social Security Act suggests that Labour may have retreated to the minimalist (neo-liberal) welfare state which has developed out of the Richardson-Shipley ‘redesign’.
Read MoreThinking About the Property Rights in Resource Decisions As Well As Transaction Costs.
There are more whio (blue ducks; hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) on our banknotes than in the wild.
Read MoreDo We Need a Population Census?
‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ Goethe
Read MoreThe Post-Covid Economy
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?
Read MoreCutting the Public Service
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines.
Read MoreThe Case for a Universal Family Benefit
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal Cost
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