The New Zealand Initiative

In this episode, Eric Crampton talks to Frederico Fernández, Founder and CEO of We Are Innovation, about their recent global index ranking countries' policies on safer nicotine alternatives. They explore how allowing access to options like vaping, snus and heated tobacco can drive down smoking rates more effectively than traditional tobacco control measures alone. Additional links: • We Are Innovation https://weareinnovation.global/ • The Health of the State https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/reports/the-health-of-the-state/ • Smoke and Vapour: The Changing World of Tobacco Harm Reduction https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/reports/smoke-and-vapour-the-changing-world-of-tobacco-harm-reduction/

Oliver and Michael talk about Germany's dual education system with Rachel Simpson, Manager for Education, Skills and Immigration at Business NZ. Recently, Michael and Rachel were on a business delegation to Germany to find out about their dual education system first-hand. In this episode, they discuss what this system looks like in Germany, what makes it successful and what might be stopping us from doing it here in NZ.

In this episode, Eric and Nick talk to Peter Nunns and Graham Campbell from New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga. They discuss council debt and infrastructure funding and financing.

In this episode, Michael talks to Holly Gooch and Izzy Bremner, from The Hyphen Project, about what it might be like for people who are perhaps not considered the "norm" in our large school system. They talk about The Hyphen Project, which is a talent incubator for 16-19 year olds who are talented, neurodivergent and have not gotten on well with the mainstream education system. For more information on The Hyphen Project, please visit www.thehyphenproject.org For more information about The New Zealand Initiative, please visit www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Research Fellow Max Salmon discusses his new report 'Cabinet Congestion' with Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich. Max explains how complicated political decision-making is in New Zealand's political system - and how it could be better.

New Zealanders have been spending a lot more overseas than we have been earning overseas, yet our balance does not move in the same direction nearly as much. Oliver talks to Bryce about his latest research note "The mystery of the $52 billion gift: Does New Zealand have a fairy godmother?". To read his research note, find it on our website https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz

In this episode, Oliver talks to our new Senior Fellow, Economics and Advocacy, Nick Clark. This week he has released a new policy point called "Fast-Track Approvals Bill" which they talk about in this episode. They also talk about what Nick is looking forward to working on. To read Nick's policy point visit our website: https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/policy-point-fast-track-approvals-bill/

In this episode, Oliver has a conversation with a special guest Viktor Vavricka, the Swiss ambassador to New Zealand. They have a wide-ranging discussion about localism from a Swiss perspective.

Oliver and Matthew discuss NZ's infrastructure deficit, delivery and management which was the subject of Matthew's last column in the NZ Herald "Deficit obsession ignores abysmal state of Kiwi infrastructure delivery". You can read Matthew's article here: https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/deficit-obsession-ignores-abysmal-state-of-kiwi-infrastructure-delivery

In this episode, Eric talks to Danyl Mclauchlan, one of NZ's top political writers who is often featured in The New Zealand Listener and on Substack. He has written recently on turmoil in Wellington's pipe network and writes more broadly on the state of politics and the state of the polity. They have a wide-ranging chat about all of this as well as housing and heritage. www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Non-academic staff outnumber academic staff in NZ universities. Recently, we found the point in time when this happened. Oliver talks to James about our latest research note, "When the Bloat Began: Non-Academic Staffing at New Zealand Universities over the Long Run (1961-1997)", authored by James and Michael. They discuss this new research note, a few of the theories on why this has happened, and some of the key findings of the report. You can find this report on our website at www.nzinitiative.org.nz

In the past, competitors could stop each other's projects through land-use planning. Although some of that has been dialled back, it's coming back in other ways. Eric talks to Kevin Counsell, Director at NERA, who has a lot of experience with these processes. www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Last week, Oliver and Roger sat down to talk about the Supreme Court's decision on the Mike Smith climate change case. www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Oliver talks to Professor Francis Greene from the University of Edinburgh Business School about entrepreneurship. They have a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship as an idea, as a function and as a part of economics. They also talk about entrepreneurial people and the role AI plays now and in the future. www.nzinitiative.org.nz

This week, Eric talks to Marko Garlick and Eleanor West, formerly of Generation Zero and now co-ordinating City for People, about the Independent Hearing Panel's process and the review. They also discuss what's been going on in Houston, housing affordability and density and other research. You can find links to their research at: www.nzinitiatve.org.nz This research includes: • City for People’s five requests for the Wellington district plan • Eric’s “Yes, and…” request for the Wellington district plan • Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy’s work on Auckland zoning and house prices • The Urban Land Markets Group’s work on housing affordability and urban planning. • Eleanor West & Marko Garlick on Upzoning New Zealand, at Works in Progress • Marko Garlick on Houston’s opt-out form of upzoning. • Eric's NZ Herald article, "The incapacity of development capacity" www.nzinitiative.org.nz

In this episode, Oliver had a unique discussion with marine scientist Dr Regina Eisert via Starlink en route from Antarctica to NZ. They talk about Regina's experience in Antarctica as well as biological and research links between NZ and Antarctica, NZ research funding and who gets to go to Scott Base, NZ's Antarctic research station. www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Our Research Fellow Max Salmon talks to our Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich about our current global foreign policy situation. They talk about the Middle East, such as the shipping through the Red Sea and the Houthi movement. They also discuss the Doomsday Clock, Ukraine, Taiwan and the United States. www.nzinitiative.org.nz

In our final episode of the year, Oliver and Michael discuss how things are sitting now in NZ with a new government, the challenges they're facing, some of the early decisions they've made and what the prospects are for the new year. www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Peter Shirtcliffe, long-time Chairman of Telecom and laureate of the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, joins Oliver on the podcast. Telecom (now known as Spark) was NZ's largest listed company from 1990 to 1999. We invite him on the podcast as a political observer to talk about NZ's Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system and his personal story of campaigning against MMP. www.initiative.org.nz

Andreas Heuser, Managing Director with Castalia, joins Dr Eric Crampton on the podcast to talk about the massive energy potential of deep geothermal. They discuss what supercritical geothermal is, climate policy and the need for fast-tracking consenting processes. Related material: • Castalia's report "Supercritical Geothermal in New Zealand": https://www.geothermalnextgeneration.com/knowledge/supercritical-nz-economic-opportunity • Eric's Newsroom piece: https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/drilling-down-into-limitless-clean-energy/ • Eli Dourado "The state of next-generation geothermal energy": https://www.elidourado.com/p/geothermal • Quaise, a US startup testing deep-drilling technology: https://www.quaise.energy/ • Tom Ough on geothermal: https://worksinprogress.co/issue/watt-lies-beneath/ www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Lord Hannan, a sitting member of the House of Lords and an adviser to the UK Board of Trade, talks to Oliver on this week's episode. They discuss Lord Hannan's background, his role in the Brexit campaign and his point of view on the UK's progress since its withdrawal from the EU. They also talk about the idea of free trade, free movement of labour and enhanced political and diplomatic cooperation between Canada, Australia, NZ and the UK (CANZUK)

Dr Michael Johnston talks to Dr Claudia Rozas Gomez, who is a lecturer in Critical Studies in Education at the University of Auckland. In this episode, they discuss issues and criticisms around university-based teacher education.

Dr Michael Johnston and Ben Macintyre talk about the impact of classroom streaming in NZ, which is the subject of their new research report. It is a topic of debate in NZ, with calls for the practice to be banned by 2030. Their report "Class divides?: The impact of streaming on educational achievement and equality" examines NZ and international evidence on the effects of streaming on students' learning. Rather than banning streaming, they urge the Ministry of Education to conduct a large-scale study to help schools make informed decisions on streaming. You can find their latest report on our website www.nzinitiative.org.nz

Dr Michael Johnston talks to Glenn Fahey, who is the Director of the Education program at The Centre for Independent Studies based in Australia. They discuss the problems of Teacher Education in both NZ and Australia and the differing solutions they both came up with, which highlights the differences in both countries' systems.

Dr Michael Johnson talks to Dr Christine Braid, of Massey University, and Linda Kimpton, a literacy advocate. They discuss what structured literacy is and how an incoming Minister might approach getting structured literacy embedded.

Dr Oliver Hartwich talks to Ran Yaakoby, the Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand, about the conflict in the Middle East. In this discussion, they talk about the attack on October 7, the ongoing conflict, the role of the media in all of this and the rise of antisemitism in Europe.

This week we have a special guest, Lord Jonathan Sumption, in this combined Free Kiwis and The New Zealand Initiative podcast episode. Lord Sumption talks to us about his advocacy on free speech and is in NZ as a guest of the Free Speech Union. Interviewing him is Dr Oliver Hartwich, Dr Michael Johnston and Dr James Kierstead and they also talk about the state of the world and the state of liberal democracy.

Join us in our exciting discussion with former NZ Prime Minister Sir Bill English, as he talks to Dr Oliver Hartwich about the state of NZ politics and how politics has changed. They also chat about the recent voice referendum in Australia, ImpactLab, and NZ's future.

Dr Michael Johnston and Stephanie Martin talk to Dr Ursula Edgington about the effects of technology education, what teachers are taught vs. the realities of the classroom, and how the addictive nature of technology impacts students.

Dr Michael Johnston talks to Dr Mark Sheehan, from Victoria University of Wellington, about the transition of teachers' colleges into the universities, discusses the state of teacher education today and considers what might need to change in order to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Join Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr Matthew Birchall as they continue their conversation from last week. Listen to their reaction to the election results so far, and what they think might happen next. They also discuss the outcome of the recent voice referendum in Australia.

It's the final week before the election. So, to cap it off, Dr Oliver Hartwich talks to Dr Matthew Birchall about the 2023 NZ general election. In this episode, they discuss recent election history, what they made of this year's election campaign, the MMP system and potential outcomes.

Dr Michael Johnston talks to Maryanne Spurdle (Researcher at the Maxim Institute) and Stephanie Martin (Adjunct Fellow at NZ Initiative) about teacher education.

Dr James Kierstead talks to Dr Michael Johnston about NZ's interesting Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system vs First Past the Post (FFP), in the run-up to the 2023 NZ election.

Dr Oliver Hartwich talks to Dr Bryce Wilkinson about The New Zealand Initiative’s latest research note they have written which analyses Labour’s six-year fiscal record.

Dr. Oliver Hartwich is joined by Gene Tunny, of the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, for a discussion about Gene's most recent paper about debunking the arguments behind the Degrowth movement.

Dr. Michael Johnston is joined by Adjunct Fellow Stephanie Martin and Dr. Kevin Knight, founder and owner of the New Zealand Graduate School of Education in Christchurch, for a discussion about the issues currently facing the training of our teachers.

Who Teaches The Teachers, The New Zealand Initiative's new report, discusses the current issues with teacher training in New Zealand. Join Dr. Oliver Hartwich and Dr. Michael Johnston for a discussion about the new report.

Join Dr. Eric Crampton and Scott Wilson for a discussion about the recently released Government Policy Statement on land transport and a wider conversation about transport policy.

Join Dr. Michael Johnston, Dr. James Kierstead and their guest, Dr. Kendall Clements, for a discussion about the issues currently facing the teaching of science at secondary and tertiary level.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation between Dr Michael Johnston and Dr Melissa Derby (Ngāti Ranginui), a seasoned expert in education and literacy. Dive into the nuances of literacy in New Zealand, from the ongoing 'Reading Wars' debate to the concept of multi-literacies. Melissa's insights shed light on the role of cultural contexts, oral language, and the delicate balance between traditional and modern teaching methods. Explore how literacy shapes young minds and gain valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of education in New Zealand.

Prescription For Prosperity: A Discussion by The New Zealand Initiative

Join Phil Barry and Eric Crampton in this podcast as they delve into New Zealand's proposed tobacco policies. Together, they analyse the government's efforts to reduce smoking rates, particularly through Very Low Nicotine Content (VLNC) cigarettes. Their discussion covers the potential drawbacks of this approach, including a potential rise in black market activity and unintended behaviour changes. They also consider more practical alternatives, such as reduced harm products and targeted interventions for specific groups. Backed by data and insights, this conversation provides a balanced perspective on the challenges and complexities of crafting effective public health policies.

In this podcast, the Initiative's director Oliver Hartwich and chief economist Eric Crampton talk about Labour's proposal to take GST off fresh fruit and vegetables. Oh, and frozen ones, too. But not washed, sliced or otherwise processed. Oliver and Eric agree that this is policy is nuts - whether nuts are GST-free or not.

Join us for a discussion as we dive deep into the heart of New Zealand's economic landscape with special guest Damien Grant, a renowned business commentator and liquidator. In this episode, host Oliver Hartwich guides us through a candid conversation covering a range of topics, from the challenges of economic reform to the role of government in education and healthcare. Damien Grant pulls no punches as he shares his unfiltered opinions on the need for radical change in New Zealand's policies. With captivating anecdotes and a sprinkle of optimism, Damien explores why transformational change is both critical and possible, even in the face of institutionalised norms. Whether you're a policy enthusiast, a business aficionado, or simply curious about the future of New Zealand's economic landscape, this episode promises to leave you inspired and engaged. Tune in to gain fresh insights and a renewed perspective on the potential for economic reform, as we navigate the captivating discourse between Oliver Hartwich and Damien Grant.

The country’s newspapers have been arguing that tech platforms, like Facebook and Google, should be paying them whenever they link to news. They should be careful what they wish for. Professor Michael Geist is Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa and the country’s foremost expert on similar regulation in Canada. The Canadian government passed Bill C-18, which gives Canadian news media everything that New Zealand’s newspapers claim they want. Geist shares valuable insights into the well-predicted consequences of this legislative move. Despite government assurances that all would be fine, tech platforms threats to block links to news have not been a bluff. Rather than provide a new funding source for Canadian news, the legislation will likely result in more extensive government media bailouts as link-driven revenue dries up. Listen as they delve into the government's role in negotiations with tech giants, uncovering the challenges and consequences of such interventions. Join us as we unravel the complexities of this Canadian experience, providing valuable lessons for policymakers and citizens alike. Tune in now to navigate the dynamic landscape of tech and news industry relations, with insights that can influence the future direction of similar policies worldwide.

In this episode, Michael Johnston talks with Oliver Hartwich about a New Zealand delegation that went on an eye-opening journey to Ireland, a country making impressive strides in nurturing businesses and overall growth. They confront New Zealand's shortcomings in comparison, sparking a conversation about the need for systemic change at home. They bring focus to Ireland's exceptional non-ideological education system that prioritises data - a potential game-changer for New Zealand's future generations. They discuss the vital lessons learned from Ireland's success, and how these insights could fuel a similar transformation in New Zealand. Tune into this episode for a riveting exploration of growth, innovation, and the untapped potential for New Zealand's future. Join us as we reflect on our current global standing and envision the strides we must take to catch up and thrive.

Join us in this thought-provoking podcast episode as Drs James Kierstead and Michael Johnston engage in a conversation with Emeritus Professor John Raine, an esteemed academic with extensive experience in the New Zealand education system. We explore the evolution of academic standards and university preparedness, discussing the impact of changes in the education system and the importance of foundational knowledge in subjects like mathematics and sciences. Then we delve into the role of universities as cultural institutions and the challenges they face in maintaining their neutrality and intellectual integrity amidst changing demands and ideologies. We examine the delicate balance between incorporating cultural knowledge and preserving the principles of objective inquiry, highlighting concerns about the potential politicization of universities. Our conversation prompts us to reflect on the importance of university leadership in upholding the critic and conscience role of these institutions. Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of higher education, seeking to foster an environment that embraces curiosity, intellectual exploration, and diverse perspectives.

In this week’s podcast, Dr Eric Crampton continues his conversation with Professor Rhema Vaithianathan from Auckland University of Technology. This fascinating discussion tackles the world of data integration within social services, and critiques past failures, citing a need for real-life stories rather than cold, hard data. They discuss a culture shift towards accountability and performance-based contracts, a potentially game-changing solution. Listen to how smart data use could revolutionise social services and transform the lives of vulnerable children.

Join us this week on the New Zealand Initiative podcast! Our host, Dr Eric Crampton chats with Professor Rhema Vaithianathan from Auckland University of Technology. Rhema gives us a peek into her pioneering work on data-tools, designed with a human touch to better serve communities. In this fascinating chat, they delve into Rhema's trailblazing project, the Allegheny Family Screening Tool. This unique decision-aid tool is a global first, introduced in 2016 to support child welfare hotline screening. The duo also touch on the equally impressive Allegheny Housing Assessment tool, another innovative machine-learning tool used since 2020 for prioritising housing within the homelessness system. Rhema reveals the power of predictive risk modelling in the US child protection system, where her team used administrative data to help improve outcomes for children. Listen to how this model uses past case data to guide operators in their decisions regarding potential abuse cases. In the US, this approach worked to substantially reduce child hospitalisation. It could be done in New Zealand as well. In fact, the work started here. But New Zealand’s politics and public service has a very difficult time with new approaches. American localism means that one innovative county can try it out, and demonstrate the benefits to others. All this and more in our enlightening podcast. Stay tuned for Part Two, where the conversation on AI and predictive models in child protection systems, and on encouraging public sector innovation more broadly, continues!

The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in most constitutions and is deemed to be an essential human right under international law. Yet people in many countries face restrictions on their freedom of speech and on other civil liberties. So how does New Zealand compare? In this week’s podcast, Eric Crampton and Michael Johnston are joined by Arthur Grimes for an insightful discussion exploring the value of freedom of speech, its impact on well-being, and the nuanced relationship beyond the left-right divide. Discover intriguing findings from Professor Grimes' study and the importance of preserving this fundamental democratic principle.

Welcome to the New Zealand Initiative podcast! In this week’s episode, Drs Michael Johnston and James Kierstead discuss the challenges faced by universities in New Zealand, focusing on issues such as declining enrolments, the impact of international student numbers, and the need for universities to foster open and civil debate on controversial topics. They highlight the importance of universities being perceived as places of academic freedom and intellectual exchange, urging Vice Chancellors to differentiate themselves by creating an environment where ideas can be freely contested. They also address the high ratio of administrative staff to academic staff in New Zealand universities, suggesting a need for a financial re-evaluation. The forthcoming report on this topic promises to provide further insights into the matter.

Businesses typically avoid taking a stance on contentious political matters, particularly during election campaigns, and that is what makes this week’s media release from Foodstuffs North Island quite remarkable. In this week’s podcast, Oliver Hartwich is joined by Chris Quin, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island, to delve into the pressing issue of escalating retail crime and lawlessness in New Zealand. They discuss the effect this having on the safety of frontline staff, their owner/operators and their customers. They also discuss possible solutions and the importance of adopting a multifaceted approach to effectively tackle crime, highlighting the limitations of simplistic solutions such as fog cannon subsidies.

New Zealand is globally known as a rich tapestry of cultures, but what does that really mean on the ground and how does it shape the world of business and innovation? It's not just about customs and conventions that we can observe and learn. National culture is much more profound; it's hardwired into our brains, influencing our thoughts and behaviours. Yet, as globalisation gains momentum and New Zealand’s multicultural fabric grows denser, the probability of intercultural misunderstandings, tensions, and conflicts also increases. To explore how we navigate this delicate balance, Oliver Hartwich is joined by management consultant Tony Smale to discuss how we can leverage our national culture to boost innovation and enhance business performance.

Welcome to the New Zealand Initiative podcast! This week's episode presents a dialogue between Dr Michael Johnston and the renowned Professor Gary Hawke. Together, they journey through the evolution of teacher training in New Zealand, tracing the intriguing pathway from the independent training colleges to their subsequent unification with universities. This compelling dialogue illuminates the preparations that shape our educators for their vital roles. Listen now to understanding the past, present, and future of New Zealand's teacher training.

Join us on a fascinating journey, chugging through the intricate past, present, and future of rail transport in New Zealand. Chief economist Eric Crampton is once again joined by Client Service Lead for Milestone Solutions, Scott Wilson, to dig deep into the ownership structures and incentives that have guided the development of New Zealand's rail system. They explore the government's role in rail transport funding and provide critical insights into how this influences the nation's overall transport landscape. Whether you're a rail enthusiast, history buff, economic aficionado, or a curious listener, this episode promises a treasure trove of insights. Buckle up for an unforgettable ride across the history of New Zealand rail, one track at a time.

Tune into this riveting podcast for a deep-dive into the world of urban planning and infrastructure development in New Zealand! Chief economist Eric Crampton is joined by the Infrastructure Commission’s Nadine Dodge and Peter Nunns to grapple with the complex yet fascinating concept of corridor protection and how foresight is essential to avoid future urban development headaches. Be ready to learn about the unexpected areas impacted by planning, including schools, transportation, and even supermarkets. Hear about how inadequate planning can spiral into manifold issues including overcrowded schools and insufficient facilities for growing communities. They also explore the intriguing potential of flexible zoning to foster competition. Plus, there's a thought-provoking discussion on the proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development, and the potential implications this could have. This conversation underlines the critical importance of proactive, wide-ranging urban planning to accommodate future population growth and evolving community needs. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Welcome to the New Zealand Initiative podcast! In this episode, Michael Johnston has a fascinating conversation with Bali Haque, an experienced educator who has held various roles in the education sector. Bali is a well-respected educator, having worked as a teacher, principal, and national education agency executive in New Zealand. This engaging discussion delves into Bali's experiences as Deputy Chief Executive at NZQA, particularly focusing on the reforms to NCEA he oversaw. Bali shares his insights into the cultural and ideological dynamics of the education sector, highlighting the tension between formative and summative assessment and the challenge of maintaining credibility in the face of public expectations. Join us for an insightful conversation as we explore the complexities of education reform and the ongoing quest for an effective and credible education system in New Zealand.

In this thought-provoking episode, the Initiative’s economists – Dr Oliver Hartwich, Dr Eric Crampton, Dr Tony Burton, and Dr Bryce Wilkinson – dive into the debate over whether Australia is a better option for skilled talent. They discuss the current challenges faced by New Zealand in terms of health, education, and infrastructure, and how the nation's performance is deteriorating relative to Australia. With both countries vying for the best talent, the experts analyse the impact of increased public spending without seeing significant benefits in crucial areas. They also address the unaffordable housing crisis and the role of central and local governments in land use planning. Finally, they explore the pathway to citizenship for Kiwis in Australia and debate whether the government is the solution or the problem. Join us for a riveting conversation that will leave you questioning where you'd rather be.

Learning is a central pursuit of the education system. It is essential that educators understand key elements of the science of human learning and how to apply them in the classroom. In this podcast episode, Michael Johnston is joined by Lloyd Gutteridge, author and senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology in the Business, Economics and Law Faculty. They discussed the importance of prior knowledge in learning and the risks of too much edutainment in teaching. They also discussed gaps in the New Zealand curriculum and the science of learning, including cognitive load theory.

The Initiative team has welcomed a new addition to their team with the appointment of Tony Burton as a Research Fellow. Tony has a PhD in economics and philosophy from the University of East Anglia researching game theory and choice under uncertainty. After the purity of academic research, he opted for the world of policy, first at the UK Ministry of Health, then in New Zealand at the Ministry of Social Development and Treasury where he was formerly Deputy Chief Economist. Tony’s work for the Initiative will focus on public service and reform.

In this podcast episode, the Initiative’s chief economist Eric Crampton is joined by OliverShaw Principal, Robin Oliver, to discuss new independent research which shows that high-wealth individuals pay more tax on average and represent a higher proportion of the total tax take than may previously have been thought. It has been strongly suggested that, in practice, New Zealand’s income tax regime is not as fair as statutory tax rates would suggest. However, no reliable data exists to support this claim. Leading tax consultancy OliverShaw commissioned Australasian consulting firm, Sapere Research Group, to prepare a report on the effective rates of tax that New Zealand’s tax and benefit systems impose on the incomes of its residents.

In this podcast episode, we explore the state of education in New Zealand, both at the school and university levels. Drawing from our own experiences, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current education system and the challenges that students face in their pursuit of higher education. We delve into the issue of whether students are adequately prepared for university-level learning, with some arguing that there has been a decline in educational standards in recent years. Join us as we analyse the state of education in New Zealand and consider what needs to be done to ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.

In this episode, Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr James Kierstead discuss administrative bloat in New Zealand universities, focusing on the rise of non-academic staff and its potential consequences. Dr Kierstead shares some figures on the large number of non-academic employees compared to academic staff and compares the situation to other countries. The conversation considers why universities need non-academic staff, but also explores how many is too many. Dr Kierstead's upcoming report aims to start a debate about how many non-academic staff are needed and how universities can balance their priorities to provide quality education and research while managing their finances.

Much can be learned from the past, both the good and the bad. The Initiative’s upcoming report takes a historical perspective on New Zealand’s infrastructure challenge and offers a roadmap for moving forward. In this week's podcast, Drs Oliver Hartwich and Matthew Birchall discuss some of our nation’s key infrastructure success stories, from the construction of toll roads in the Taranaki during the 19th century to the rollout of broadband in the new millennium, and how we need to embrace private enterprise, local knowledge, and a cultural attitude that welcomes growth and development to deliver ambitious infrastructure once again.

In this week’s podcast, Oliver Hartwich and Michael Johnston are joined by visiting professor Dr Antje Barabasch to discuss vocational education and training, the Swiss dual education system, and the differences with the New Zealand system. Professor Dr Antje Barabasch is head of the research axe “Teaching and Learning in VET” and the research field “Learning cultures and instruction”. Prior to her position at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (SFUVET) she worked at CEDEFOP, an agency of the European Commission, and directed various European research projects. Today, her research is concerned with new learning cultures in VET, especially in enterprises, creativity development and creative approaches to VET, teacher training as well as policy transfer in VET.

There are many pressing problems facing New Zealand, but none more urgent than the decay of our once great education system. For more than two decades, the literacy and numeracy achievement of our young people has been declining. The downward trend is clear, in both our national monitoring data and international tests like PISA. We have an appalling truancy problem, and our teachers are unsupported and undervalued. In this week’s podcast, Oliver Hartwich and Michael Johnston discuss the Initiative’s education manifesto Save our Schools: Solutions for New Zealand’s Education Crisis. This manifesto draws on the body of research compiled at The New Zealand Initiative over the past decade to bring together a coherent plan to improve our education system, and to restore it to a place of international excellence.

Recent Ministry of Education publications bring mātauranga Māori concepts into the school curriculum. While concepts like mauri, a Māori term meaning “vital essence” or “life force”, may have something to offer science as a reflection of ecosystem health or the “life-supporting capacity” of rivers, any interpretation that equated mauri with chemical properties, or as “the binding force between the physical and the spiritual”, had no place in the chemistry curriculum and proposals to incorporate traditional knowledge in science curricula need a lot more reflection, with nobody excluded from the conversation. In this week’s podcast James Kierstead talks with Paul Kilmartin (Ngāi Tahu), Professor of Chemistry in the School of Chemical Sciences at the University of Auckland, about mātauranga Māori, science and the school curriculum. To read the article referred to in the podcast click here: https://nzic.org.nz/unsecure_files/cinz/2022-86-4.pdf

For years, The New Zealand Initiative has argued for the case for localism in New Zealand, which is one of the most centralised countries in the world. According to a recent tax sharing poll, 70% of people support keeping tax revenue in their communities. In this week's podcast, Oliver Hartwich is joined by Malcolm Alexander, consultant and former chief executive of LGNZ, to discuss all things localism - including incentives and funding mechanisms for local councils, three waters, and the government's penchant for centralisation.

The public service, and the neutrality of its leaders, has become a recent issue. In this episode, Drs Oliver Hartwich and Michael Johnston discuss New Zealand's public service, how it is run, and the importance of public servants being impartial and objective in their work. Drawing on Germany's example, they look at how public servants can be highly professional and skilled, and still work for the government of the day without showing bias, to ensure a neutral and effective public service that serves all its citizens.

The Charities Amendment Bill is currently before Parliament, but it is flawed and full of unintended consequences. As promised in the Labour Party manifesto, charities in New Zealand are demanding a proper first principles review with a better process and more public participation. This week's podcast is a conversation between Oliver Hartwich and Sue Barker, a charity law expert, about the growing authoritarianism and its impact on our democracy, social cohesion, and community wellbeing.

Director of Economics for the Infrastructure Commission, Peter Nunns, talks to Eric Crampton, Chief Economist for The New Zealand Initiative, about his research on the cost to deliver infrastructure in New Zealand and the need to improve the efficiency of our infrastructure sector, rather than only focusing on broadening the funding and financing options available to it. For more, please read the Infrastructure Commission’s report, “The lay of the land: Benchmarking New Zealand’s infrastructure delivery costs.”

Resilient infrastructure is crucial for protecting people during disasters and ensuring that communities can bounce back quickly in the aftermath of a crisis. Two powerful examples of this can be seen in New Zealand's response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and, more recently, Cyclone Gabrielle. However, with the high cost of repairs that will be needed, the government will need to find the funds to pay for it. In addition, the demand for building supplies is already high, so the government has the power to encourage new entrants into the market. The task of repairing the damage caused by the cyclone will be significant and will require a large number of people to get involved. Therefore, policy changes are necessary to facilitate the involvement of the necessary workforce. On our podcast, our panelists, Dr Oliver Hartwich, Dr Eric Crampton, and Dr Bryce Wilkinson, share their insights on the lessons learned from the 2011 earthquake and suggest necessary policy changes to promote the development of resilient infrastructure for a speedy recovery.

The Initiative team has welcomed a new addition to their team with the appointment of Benjamin Macintyre as a Research Assistant. Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, International Studies, and Italian, and brings a fresh perspective to the team, with a focus on traditional political theory, modern political issues, international institutions, international political economy, and Italian language and culture.

In this week's podcast we are diving into the much-anticipated policy shift announced by the country's new Prime Minister. The speculation has been building for months, with many wondering what policies will be scrapped and which ones will remain. In this episode, we dissect the Cabinet's first reprioritisations - everything from the biofuel mandate, free speech, the Social Unemployment Scheme, Three Waters, resource management, the TVNZ/RNZ merger, fair pay agreements and the surprise minimum wage increase.

In this week's podcast The New Zealand Initiative's chief economist, Dr Eric Crampton, chats with Christian van der Pump about building regulations, fire safety and the causes of 'market failure' in the building industry. Christian van der Pump is a professional engineer with qualifications in chemistry, engineering and economics. He is doing a PhD in market failure in the construction industry across Australasia. You can read Christian's 12 December 2022 opinion article on the causes of 'market failure' in the building industry here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/130812601/the-causes-of-market-failure-in--the-building-industry

In this week's podcast The New Zealand Initiative's chief economist, Dr Eric Crampton, chats with Jonathan Alve, National Operations Manager at Hospitality New Zealand, about proposed amendments to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act and the challenges these may hold for licence holders.

Holly Gooch is part of the KiwiNet Emerging Innovator programme to progress a project to help twice-exceptional secondary students. Michael Johnston sat down with Holly to talk about her PhD research project.

Josie Pagani interviews Oliver Hartwich about the state of the nation in this week's Initiative podcast.

Michael Johnston sat down with Emma Chatterton, Strategic Project Lead at ImpactLab, to discuss her experience gaining registration and certification as an overseas-trained teacher. In addition, they discuss how New Zealand might improve teacher supply through immigration, and the country's growing truancy rate.

New Zealand's immigration system is cracking under pressure. A lack of staff, a shambolic IT system, and new government policies that bamboozle applicants are creating unnecessary stress for migrants, and long delays around simple work visa applications that once made their way through the system with ease are causing issues for employers. Oliver Hartwich and Eric Crampton talk with June Ranson, CEO of Woburn International, to find out what is going on and what could be done to fix it.

Oliver Hartwich chats with Christoph Schumacher about the Official Cash Rate, inflation, the Taylor Rule, and the new GDP Live tool that provides real-time New Zealand GDP tracking. To help fund the incredible GDP Live tracker contact Christoph at c.schumacher@massey.ac.nz.

Victoria University's Associate Professor Martien Lubberink specialises in banking regulation. In Newsroom, Prof Lubberink warns of unintended consequences of setting extra taxes on current bank profits. He talks about bank profitability, regulation, and taxes, with Eric Crampton and Bryce Wilkinson. Link: Newsroom. https://www.newsroom.co.nz/corporate/taxing-banks-excessive-profits-be-careful-what-you-wish-for

Josie Pagani and Oliver Hartwich discuss the state of the nation

James Kierstead and Michael Johnston discuss the results of a second pilot for literacy and numeracy assessments, as well as an upcoming survey on the extent to which university students are willing to express their ideas.

Oliver Hartwich and Eric Crampton discuss how the government is preventing overseas supermarkets from entering the New Zealand market.

Are international students subsidising the education of domestic students in Australian universities – or is it the other way around? Why does Australia have quite so many international students anyway? Does China post a real risk to academic freedom in Australia? And how might Australia’s universities be reformed? In this wide-ranging interview about his recent book Australia’s Universities: Can They Reform? James talked to Salvatore Babones about all these issues, and about what lessons there might be for our universities in New Zealand.

Oliver Hartwich chats with ACT’s Transport and Climate Change spokesperson Simon Court about the Clean Car Scheme and how it's adding bureaucracy, not reducing emissions.

In this episode Michael Johnston hosts Oliver Hartwich and Eric Crampton to discuss various European crises and how New Zealand should be learning from, and not repeating, the European mistakes.

Ideology rather than evidence is the basis for the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) ‘Modern Leaning Environments’, research by The New Zealand Initiative has revealed. Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr Michael Johnston discuss the fact that a government ministry could not produce data to support its policy for mass conversion of New Zealand’s classrooms to Innovative Learning Environments (ILEs) and other findings of the Initiative’s new report, "No Evidence, No Evaluation, No Exit – Lessons from the 'Modern Learning Environments' experiment".

Michael Johnston talked to leadership coach Kate Morton of Transformation Space about leadership in organisations and self-leadership as an antidote to anxiety. They also discussed the implications of Kate’s work for addressing rising levels of anxiety in teenagers and your people.

Dr Eric Crampton interviews Scott Wilson in this follow up interview to their discussion about transport funding and getting roads built. In this episode they talk about the history of how New Zealand funded and financed roads, and the structures of getting roads approved.

Are Māori dying earlier because they are Māori? Do Māori lead less healthy lives because they are being discriminated against? And how much racism is there in the New Zealand health system? These are the questions at the heart of a new report by Senior Fellow Dr Bryce Wikinson. Bryce researched claims made by the Government that systemic racism is to blame for poor Māori health outcomes. And he also analysed the Government’s prescription to remedy the situation by prioritising health spending for Māori, especially in Pharmac’s medicine procurement. This is a recording of a webinar on Bryce’s new report. Also interviewed is the author of the foreword, University of Auckland health expert Professor Des Gorman (Ngapuhi). Together, Bryce and Des discussed if, as the title of the report states, “Every life is worth the same”.

Oliver Hartwich is joined by Retail NZ CEO, Greg Harford, to discuss the pressures retailers are facing in the current economic climate - crime, inflation, fair pay agreements, increasing costs of doing business, labour shortages, and Covid.

Oliver Hartwich talks with Professor David Rozado from Otago Polytechnic about his research in positive/negative sentiment words and terms loaded with political connotations in academia and news/opinion articles from news media outlets.

Michael Johnston discusses improving our childrens' reading and writing with Belinda Blick-Duggan and Dr Helen Walls.

Scott Wilson joins Eric Crampton and Matthew Birchall to discuss the petrol excise holiday, sustainability of the land transport funding system, and what better options might be for the funding and financing of New Zealand roads in the future.

There are many pressing problems facing New Zealand, but none more urgent than the decay of our once great education system. Every time a young person leaves school without basic literacy and numeracy, it is a travesty. Oliver Hartwich and Michael Johnston discuss the country's education emergency.

Oliver Hartwich and Dennis Wesselbaum discuss Germany's outlook.