ANNUAL REport 2018 The New Zealand Initiative Annual Report 2018 © The New Zealand Initiative 2019
Published by The New Zealand Initiative PO Box 10147 Wellington 6143 New Zealand www.nzinitiative.org.nz
Designed by Angela Whitney, www.angelawhitney.com Printed by True North New Zealand Ltd
Cover photo: Piha Beach, New Zealand CONTENTS
Foreword 03 Highlights of Our Year 24
What We Stand For 04 What Others Say About Us 36
Our Principles 05 Our Team 38
Our Research & Submissions 08 Our Board 42
Our Engagement 14 Our Members 44
Engagement with Members 15 Annual Members’ Retreat 16 Dinner Lecture by Katharine Birbalsingh 18 ResearchED 20 Public Forum with Philippe Legrain 21 Media 22
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 01 “Good quality public policy discourse is more important that it has ever been in today’s fast-moving digital world. It is a critical underpinning for a well-functioning democracy. Taking the time to do considered research on important topics like education, housing and where to next for the economy are a must. Sometimes challenging the conventional wisdom and digging below the ’30 second grab’ as The New Zealand Initiative does, provides an important contribution to New Zealand’s ongoing prosperity.” Kate McKenzie, Chief Executive, Chorus FOREWORD
The New Zealand Initiative aims to create a country that brings • We launched two seminal papers on education policy, Score! opportunity, prosperity and happiness to all its people. It is an and Spoiled by Choice. We also hosted New Zealand’s rst ever overarching goal that is not left, right or centre. It is a vision all researchED conference. New Zealanders can unite behind. • We continued our campaign for an incentives-based scheme to address housing supply. We were delighted when the Government No matter your party-political leanings, we all believe housing should announced a project to construct 9,000 homes in Auckland by be a ordable. We all hold that our children deserve the best possible drawing on recommendations in our report, Free to Build. education. We all want to see an economy that creates great products, services and jobs. In our events programme, we hosted Australia’s longest-serving Treasurer Peter Costello and leading British educationalist Katharine It was on this foundation that the Initiative started in 2012. Right Birbalsingh, as well as Finance Minister Grant Robertson, Environment from the beginning, we refused to think of New Zealand’s future in Minister David Parker, Climate Change Minister James Shaw, Regional party-political terms. What matters to us is nding the best answers Development Minister Shane Jones, Leader of the Opposition Simon to our country’s long-term challenges. Bridges, National’s rising star Nicola Willis, and Auckland Mayor Phil Go .
Because of that, the change of government in 2017 did not change It was a year in which the Initiative once again left its mark on at all what we believe or do. We continued to engage with both the New Zealand’s political debates and public policy. Together with our Government and the Opposition – the only di erence was that our membership, which once again grew in 2018, we will continue to do politicians had swapped places. so in the coming years.
Over the course of 2018, we made concrete recommendations on some of our most pressing policy issues:
• We launched a joint initiative with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) to explore pathways to a decentralised government. Roger Partridge Dr Oliver Hartwich Chairman Executive Director This coincided with the Productivity Commission’s own inquiry into local government funding.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 03 WHAT WE STAND FOR The New Zealand Initiative What truly sets us apart is Our vision is to contribute to is a unique organisation, while most think tanks are a prosperous, free and fair and not just by New Zealand only loosely affiliated with society with a competitive, standards. their donors, we take the open and dynamic economy. opposite approach. We are a non-partisan think We believe our goals and tank, we are an association We are proud to have some of values are similar – if not of business leaders, we are New Zealand’s highest profile identical – to what most an evidence-based research business leaders among our New Zealanders want to institute, and most of all we diverse membership and who see achieved: are independent. We believe bring a wide range of interests, these are not contradictions. experiences and ideas.
A good Affordable An open A free and The protection of Sound public A stable education housing economy democratic our natural resources finances currency system society and heritage
04 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE OUR PRINCIPLES The challenge in public policy is often not to de ne what you want to achieve, but to nd ways of achieving widely shared goals. Every good think tank needs solid foundations. These are ours:
We are credible. We are evidence-based. We are non-partisan. We are independent. We are committed. Our research is based Our recommendations We engage with We promote good public Our members and the on a sound theoretical are supported by parties from across the policy, not the interests of Initiative team share the framework and is empirical, and often political spectrum. individual businesses or vision to build a better rigorously peer-reviewed. international, evidence. industries. New Zealand.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 05 2018
radio and television 15 260 appearances Initiative events opinion articles 68 27 published speaking held, hosting (including 142 engagements Insights pieces) 47 speakers
media20 releases 7 295 research direct media reports mentions
written 10 submissions 4,332 Insights newsletter subscribers 4,262 2,290 175,206 Facebook likes Twitter followers YouTube video views
06 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 07 OUR RESEARCH & SUBMISSIONS
08 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE OUR RESEARCH
Recipe for Disaster: Spoiled by Choice: How NCEA Hampers Building Policy on Shaky Ground Education, and What It Needs to Succeed Bryce Wilkinson and Eric Crampton Briar Lipson with Jason Krupp To coincide with the launch of the Ministry of The Christchurch earthquakes caused massive Education’s statutory review of NCEA, we launched disruption to householders and businesses. Spoiled by Choice: How NCEA Hampers Education, Recovery in the central business district is and What It Needs to Succeed. proving painfully slow. Few want to see that This report, written by Briar Lipson, nds that experience repeated. NCEA might be good for self-esteem, but it is failing Recipe for Disaster examines the strengths too many students – particularly disadvantaged and weaknesses of the government’s recovery students – and needs urgent reform. arrangements. NCEA’s exibility is astounding, but Spoiled The report, written by Eric Crampton and by Choice shows that disadvantaged students Bryce Wilkinson, nds that though many of disproportionately pay its costs. This is because the responses worked, the weaknesses were they are more likely to select or be guided into signi cant. In any future disaster, the government ‘safe’ options, which maximise NCEA success by should quickly establish certainty about policies, avoiding challenging content. plans and regulation. Anchor projects and A 2014 study by the Tertiary Education Commission precinct designations should be avoided unless found that 40% of Year 12 students with NCEA Level 2 they were planned for in the council’s long-term could not read at a functional level. For a system disaster contingencies. designed to raise equity, this is too high a price to pay. Repeating Christchurch’s mistakes would be a The report analyses NCEA’s history and evolution, recipe for disaster. This report shows how to and its impact on students, teachers, employers better respond to the next natural disaster. and universities.
It makes seven recommendations to help raise the expectations of all students, reduce teacher workloads, and support educators to look beyond the numbers game to the wider goals of schooling.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 09 Score! Transforming NCEA Data Who Guards the Guards? Regulatory Eric Crampton and Martine Udahemuka Governance in New Zealand Roger Partridge and Amy Thomasson It is hard to improve things without measuring them. Understanding where our secondary school Regulations can only be as good as the regulators system succeeds – and fails – depends on a better that apply them. Even the best-designed regulatory measure of student performance. systems can fail if administered wrongly.
Eric Crampton and Martine Udahemuka That is why it is so important to ensure that demonstrate in Score! Transforming NCEA Data regulators do not exercise their powers in a vacuum. how to build this better measure. Just like any other organisation, regulators need a system of checks and balances to guide and NCEA puts equal weight on all credits towards monitor their behaviour. a quali cation. But it is much easier to attain an Excellence grade in some standards than in This is what Who Guards the Guards? by Roger others. There can be vast variations between two Partridge and Amy Thomasson is all about. people with the same NCEA quali cation. Not only The report examines what good regulatory that, two students with substantial di erences governance looks like and why it matters. It in academic achievement can nish NCEA with then analyses the results of a detailed survey of the same number of credit points, and the same the performance of New Zealand’s commercial number of Excellence or Merit grades. regulatory agencies against a range of key Score! presents a better measure of student performance indicators. performance at NCEA. The Weighted Relative Who Guards the Guards? shows worrying Performance Index (WRPI) weights overall student de ciencies in the performance and behaviours of performance in each standard when assessing each some of New Zealand’s most important regulatory student’s performance. agencies, including the Commerce Commission and The measure can assist government, policy the Reserve Bank. By contrast, it nds high levels analysts, researchers and schools to understand of respect for New Zealand’s nancial markets student performance better. It gives credit where regulator, the Financial Markets Authority. it is due, as students truly deserve.
10 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE Smoke and Vapour: The Changing World Project Localism of Tobacco Harm Reduction The New Zealand Initiative and Local Government Jenesa Jeram New Zealand
Smoke and Vapour, written by Jenesa Jeram, For the past six years, the Initiative has been argues that nicotine delivery products like arguing the case for localism. Pointing out that New e-cigarettes, snus and heat-not-burn can all help Zealand is one of the most centralised countries in reduce the harms of smoking and positively the world, we have called for a shift of political and contribute to New Zealand’s smoke-free future. scal power from the centre to the communities.
Just days before the launch of this report, the Alongside Local Government New Zealand Ministry of Health announced these products (LGNZ), we launched our joint position statement (except for tobacco chewed or dissolved in for ‘Project Localism’, calling for devolution and the mouth) can be lawfully imported, sold and decentralisation in the way New Zealand is run. distributed in New Zealand. LGNZ and the Initiative will explore how to recalibrate This is an excellent step for the country, and for government. We will do this by consulting experts the future of smokers wanting to quit. and stakeholders from government, business and academia. There will be public events and a call for But the hard work is not over yet. The Ministry is submissions. We will engage widely to get the best considering how best to apply risk-proportionate ideas for better government. regulation across these products. However, as Smoke and Vapour argues, there is a tendency in The political feedback on our inquiry has also been public health to take an overly risk-averse approach. encouraging. Then acting Prime Minister Winston Peters said he understood the problems facing local The report makes several recommendations on government and was open to ideas. key issues around advertising, excise and regulatory bodies. Though legalisation is an important rst Opposition Leader Simon Bridges, on Breakfast, step, an overly risk-averse regime will limit smokers’ welcomed the project and pointed out that better access to these products and reduce the likelihood incentives for a more competitive local government of switching. sector would be a positive development.
Our goal is to shift the way public decisions are made in New Zealand by seeking a commitment to localism.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 11 Fit for Purpose? Are Kiwis Getting the Embracing a Super Model: The Government They Pay For? Superannuation Sky Is Not Falling Bryce Wilkinson Jenesa Jeram
In Fit for Purpose? Are Kiwis Getting the Government New Zealand is one of a handful of countries to They Pay For? Bryce Wilkinson compiled rankings o er a universal, non-means-tested pension, and statistics to answer one question: How good a payable from the age of 65. job does the New Zealand government do with the Commentators insist that with our ageing resources it commands? population, New Zealand Superannuation (NZS) The report nds that the Government is achieving is unsustainable. There are rising concerns that poor outcomes for New Zealanders relative to the New Zealand is sitting on a scal time-bomb, resources it is using. Perhaps one dollar in three and that urgent reform to NZS is needed. of New Zealand general government spending is Contrary to the doomsayers, Embracing a Super wasteful. That represents around 13% of GDP or Model, by Jenesa Jeram, o ers a more positive $20,000 per household annually. story. Not only is NZS arguably one of the best Fit for Purpose? looks at health and school pension models in the world, but the evidence education spending. It also identi es 2030 areas does not point to a looming scal crisis. of weakness in other sectors of government activity The report nds that our pension scheme is worth – government provision, institutional quality, and celebrating but could do with a few tweaks as the laws and regulations. population ages and concludes that the pension The launch of this report coincided with the age must rise and be linked to health expectancy, Tax Working Group’s interim report. Our report to maintain a relevant relationship between recommended some new taxes, especially around retirement and receipt of superannuation. capital gains, and emphasised there is no point in The report warns that the future funding of NZS being taxed more when the government does not may be at the expense of more needy groups. deliver value for money on current taxation levels. New Zealand’s current tax and welfare system is generally progressive: money is transferred from the rich to the poor. This could be reversed as the population ages and fewer people work, so that more money is transferred from the working poor to the relatively rich.
12 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE SUBMISSIONS
Embracing a Super Model makes four main In 2018, the Initiative made submissions to: recommendations: • The Finance and Expenditure Committee on the 1. Link the pension age to health expectancy Overseas Investment Amendment Bill 2. Index NZ Super to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) only, rather than both CPI and wages • The Social Services and Community Select 3. Ensure that contributions to the NZ Super Committee on the Child Poverty Reduction Bill Fund do not come at the expense of paying • The Economic Development, Science and down debt Innovation Committee on the Commerce 4. Raise productivity growth to make NZ Super (Criminalisation of Cartels) Amendment Bill (and everything else) more a ordable. • The Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Education Poverty Reduction Bill
• The Tax Working Group on the Future of Tax
• The Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Reserve Bank (Monetary Policy) Amendment Bill
• The Treasury on Embedding Wellbeing in the Public Finance Act
• The Treasury on New Zealand’s Fiscal Policy Framework: Establishing an Independent Fiscal Institution
• The Environment Committee on the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill
• Parliament’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the Building Amendment Bill
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 13 OUR ENGAGEMENT
14 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH MEMBERS
We held eight members’ In 2018, we hosted the following guest meetings in 2018. These speakers: meetings provided members • Rt Hon Bill English Former Prime Minister and former Leader the opportunity to hear from of the National Party and engage with politicians, • Andrew Leigh industry experts and Australia’s Shadow Assistant Treasurer and international speakers on a Federal Member for Fenner (ACT) wide range of topics. • David Parker Attorney-General, Minister for Economic Development, Environment, and Trade and Export Growth
• Phil Go Mayor of Auckland
• David Goodhart Journalist, author and founder and former editor of Prospect magazine
• Nicola Willis National Party spokesperson for Early Childhood Education
• Simon Bridges Leader of the National Party
• James Show Co-Leader of the Green Party and Minister for Climate Change
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 15 ANNUAL MEMBERS’ RETREAT (MARCH)
The New Zealand Initiative’s Annual Retreat has become a xture in business leaders’ calendars. This year, we took our members to enjoy the scenic Kauri Bay where they heard from a strong line-up of national and international speakers.
The new Leader of the Opposition, Minister of Finance Grant Robertson updated Our researchers highlighted ndings from Simon Bridges, outlined his vision for the members on the Government’s legislative their various research projects, including renewing the National Party. programme and his priorities in scal policy. nancial capability and education policy. Oliver Hartwich informed members about Shane Jones, Minister of Forestry, Australia’s longest-serving Treasurer how the Initiative will continue to in uence Infrastructure, and Regional Economic Peter Costello gave an inspiring dinner lecture. public policy debates. Development, spoke about regional economic With a raft of experience on the domestic and development. He discussed the billion-dollar international political and nancial stage, he Provincial Development Fund, a agship spoke about his take on current politics and his Government policy. work at Australia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Future Fund.
16 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 17 DINNER LECTURE BY KATHARINE BIRBALSINGH (MAY)
Around the world, many education systems are struggling to bring high-quality education to those students who need it most: students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. But in one London school, a knowledge miracle is happening.
Guided by headmistress Katharine Birbalsingh, Michaela School is changing children’s lives by challenging them to learn. Described by Boris Johnson as an “incredible school,” Michaela School delivers where other schools often give up.
Katharine joined us for an inspiring dinner lecture on Thursday, 31 May in Auckland to tell the story of Michaela School. Almost 300 teachers, school trustees, business leaders and politicians attended the event. Whilst in New Zealand, Katharine visited a primary and secondary school in Auckland to meet with the students and teachers. We also had great media coverage, with TVNZ’s Breakfast, RadioLIVE, Radio New Zealand, New Zealand Herald, The National Business Review, and Newstalk ZB interviewing Katharine about her philosophy. We hope the conversation we started will help realign the education debate.
18 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 19 RESEARCH-ED (JUNE)
We partnered with “ Having spent Queen’s Birthday Saturday “ There were a lot of people attracted to researchED to reignite at the researchED Conference in researchED who probably wouldn’t nd Auckland along with 300 other educators evidence-based education themselves at home in the mainstream who have a passion for teaching and educational establishment, and as a in New Zealand. On Saturday, learning, I have come away feeling result there was a bit of (tidily dressed 2 June more than 240 inspired, uplifted and determined that the and well enunciated) ‘raging against problems our education sector currently passionate educators, the machine’.” faces can be overcome.” Tom Haig, PPTA parents, researchers and John Morris, attendee researchED school trustees gathered at Auckland Grammar School to discuss the evidence on e ective education.
Speakers, including Katharine Birbalsingh, Benjamin Evans, Melinda Webber, Michael Johnston and Elizabeth Rata, covered early literacy instruction, the ndings from John Hattie’s meta-analyses of education methods, how to improve University Entrance of Māori students in low-decile schools, cognitive automaticity in maths, the meaning of knowledge, and the New Zealand history curriculum.
The festival created a buzz and inspired several attendees to start blogs to continue the discussion.
20 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE PUBLIC FORUM WITH PHILIPPE LEGRAIN (AUGUST)
Philippe Legrain, British economist, writer and founder of international think tank, OPEN, joined us for three speaking engagements in Auckland and Wellington.
At an event hosted by ANZ, and an open lecture at Victoria University of Wellington, attendees heard about how our open world is under threat, and why it matters. The topic at another lunch presentation, at AWF Madison, was how hiring refugees can bene t businesses. Over his three presentations, Philippe addressed around 160 attendees.
He also discussed the bene ts of hiring refugees on The AM Show and The Project, and in an opinion piece for The National Business Review. He was also interviewed by Newsroom and The Dominion Post.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 21 22 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE MEDIA
Measuring the political impact of an organisation is notoriously hard. At The New Zealand Initiative, we want to show how our research is shaping conversations and making a real di erence for all New Zealanders.
One of the key ways we do this is by engaging While commenting on the state of The AM Show and Breakfast snapped up with the media to ensure our research and New Zealand’s political landscape has kept us exclusive interviews with our researchers when policy recommendations are seen, understood busy, international a airs have also intrigued, their reports were released and spoke with and debated by the public, policymakers, frustrated and amused us. Oliver Hartwich some of the international speakers we hosted business leaders and everyone in between. dedicated many of his columns to explaining during the year, including British economist the complex goings-on of international politics Philippe Legrain and Katharine Birbalsingh, Our media coverage in 2018 was impressive such as Brexit, Italy’s nancial crisis, and Founder and Headmistress of London’s – both locally and internationally. Our the race to succeed Angela Merkel. These Michaela Community School. weekly Insights pieces, weekly columns in well-received columns were often followed The National Business Review and Newsroom, Social media continues to be an important up with additional local and international and contributions to other major newspaper engagement tool for us, and we have radio interviews. and industry publications together surpassed worked hard to increase our visibility and the 250 mark. And these are just the pieces we Our research reports explored NCEA, grow our followers. These platforms give wrote ourselves. Other publications have also New Zealand Superannuation, earthquake us the opportunity to share our research written about our research and events. policy, tobacco harm reduction, government and recommendations with a much wider spending, and regulatory governance, and audience as we continue our mission to Our researchers also made regular appearances they all generated high-level coverage. The create a more prosperous New Zealand for all on radio and TV. It was no wonder when in expertise of our researchers is evident in the New Zealanders. July 2018 Radio New Zealand investigated who growing number of requests for comment is setting the agenda with opinion pieces in and interviews year on year. New Zealand, we got a special mention. The Dominion Post showed an interest in our No week goes by without the Initiative upcoming research using integrated data appearing in the media somewhere. to show what e ect individual schools have That, to us, is a good measure of success. on student achievement once their socio- Our Insights newsletter carries a weekly log economic backgrounds are adjusted for, with a of our media mentions. double-page spread introducing the project we will be launching in mid-2019.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 23 HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR YEAR JANUARY 16 JANUARY 19 JANUARY 25 JANUARY Sugar taxes overseas have ruined The New Zealand Herald interviews Eric Crampton discusses our new popular drinks like Irn-Bru. Oliver Hartwich about The New report on earthquake policy on Responding to renewed calls for a Zealand Initiative and the key issues One News at Six. sugar tax in New Zealand, Jenesa we will look at this year. Jeram explains on Newstalk ZB why they will punish consumers, not the manufacturers.
30 JANUARY Briar Lipson shares her thoughts with the NCEA Review Reference 25 JANUARY Group about the shortcomings of the 18 JANUARY We launch Recipe for Disaster: NCEA assessment system, and what Bryce Wilkinson and Eric Crampton Building Policy on Shaky Ground. we need to do to x it. brief Christchurch MPs Poto Williams The report pro les the disaster and Duncan Webb about their response to the Christchurch upcoming report, Recipe for Disaster. earthquakes and provides a number of policy recommendations. 18 JANUARY In an opinion piece in The New Zealand Herald, Randall Bess argues that the way shing catches are allocated leaves recreational shers 30 JANUARY at risk. After the announcement of the Government’s proposed Child Poverty Reduction Bill, we warn in a media release that well-intentioned targets must be followed by well- targeted actions.
24 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE FEBRUARY 2 FEBRUARY 12 FEBRUARY 13 FEBRUARY 20 FEBRUARY Our researchers meet with the Oliver Hartwich, Eric Crampton Bryce Wilkinson and Oliver Eric Crampton talks to Kate National Party’s parliamentary and Bryce Wilkinson meet with Hartwich attend Treasury brie ngs Hawkesby on Newstalk ZB about research team for an exchange Danish ambassador Tom Nørring on the planned changes to the the economics of ticket scalping. of views. and his ocials to talk about housing Reserve Bank’s mandate and the a ordability and regulations. Government’s plans to incorporate 21 FEBRUARY 2 FEBRUARY the Living Standards Framework into Eric Crampton is one of the guest A review commissioned by NZIER 12 FEBRUARY the process for the 2019 budget. speakers at the Optimistic Futures for the Ministry of Health nds that Our education team outlines our event. He imagines a future in which sugar taxes are unlikely to improve upcoming NCEA report to the 14 FEBRUARY the reliance on central government health outcomes. The ndings mirror Ministry of Education. Briar Lipson We prepare a submission to the shifts to a regional one. He also what we concluded in our 2016 discusses her research with PPTA Finance and Expenditure Committee pushes the idea that in the future, report, The Health of the State. President Jack Boyle. on the Overseas Investment we no longer would need to ask Amendment Bill. which policies work because we would have enough insight to know which investments produce a return.
12 FEBRUARY Eric Crampton argues on Stu that 7 FEBRUARY New Zealand businesses should Eric Crampton and Bryce Wilkinson be innovative, but aware of the 16 FEBRUARY discuss their latest report on complicated labour market. Roger Partridge writes for Stu earthquake policy with Roger about a protest march in Auckland Sutton, ex-head of the Canterbury against the Government’s decision to Earthquake Recovery Agency. end the charter school model.
8 FEBRUARY 16 FEBRUARY Newsroom interviews Eric Oliver Hartwich addresses the Crampton and Jenesa Jeram about Commodores Business Club at our 2016 report The Health of the Auckland’s Royal Yacht Squadron State in which we argue against the on the new Government’s agenda imposition of a sugar tax. and the Initiative’s work on regional economic development.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 25 MARCH 26 FEBRUARY 1 MARCH 4 MARCH 13 MARCH Documents released under the At a lunch with the New South Wales We release our report Spoiled We release Score! Transforming Ocial Information Act reveal Treasurer’s leadership team, Oliver by Choice: How NCEA Hampers NCEA Data. The report surveys KiwiBuild apartments and houses Hartwich presents the Initiative’s Education, and What it Needs to existing student achievement to be priced up to $600,000 in key recommendations for public Succeeed. Briar Lipson speaks to measures and builds a new one Auckland could still be well out of policy reform. Radio New Zealand and RadioLIVE useful for benchmarking student reach of the target market. Oliver and appears on TVNZ Breakfast. The performance. The New Zealand Hartwich discusses KiwiBuild on 1 MARCH Herald on Sunday and The Sunday Herald and Education Central cover RadioLIVE. In a conversation with the Centre for Star Times also cover the report. the report. Independent Studies’ director Tom Switzer, Oliver Hartwich analyses the New Zealand government’s new agenda.
2 MARCH At the Australia New Zealand 26 FEBRUARY Leadership Forum in Sydney, Oliver Eric Crampton participates in the Hartwich speaks about the future 5 MARCH 14 MARCH Resource Reform NZ symposium of work. We host a dinner with former There are lots of reasons not to like on reforming the Resource Prime Minister Rt Hon Bill English sugar taxes, argues Eric Crampton Management Act, hosted by the and several of our members in as part of Stu ’s ‘Sugar Fix’ series. Employment and Manufactures Wellington. Association (EMA). 22 MARCH 8 9 MARCH On ABC Radio, Tom Switzer The Initiative holds its sixth annual interviews Oliver Hartwich on the Members’ Retreat at Kauri Bay incoming New Zealand government Boomrock in Auckland. Our dinner and the policy challenges it faces. speaker is Australia’s longest- serving Treasurer Peter Costello, 22 MARCH who is now chair of both Australia’s At an event hosted by Russell sovereign wealth fund and the Nine Investments, Oliver Hartwich Entertainment Corporation. interviews Finance Minister Grant Robertson about economic policy.
26 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE APRIL 3 APRIL 6 APRIL 13 APRIL 18 APRIL The government’s 10-year transport We invite Andrew Leigh, Australia’s We launch our report Who Eric Crampton argues on The Spino plan proposes a fuel tax increase of Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Guards the Guards? on regulatory that legislation to prohibit foreign 912 cents per litre. Sam Warburton Federal Member for Fenner (ACT), to governance in New Zealand with property buyers will do nothing discusses the consequences of our members’ dinner in Wellington. an exclusive two-page spread in to alleviate the housing crisis. In a this increase on Newstalk ZB and Nigel Haworth, President of the The National Business Review. following piece, he lays out all the RadioLIVE. Labour Party, and Labour MPs Poto other reasons the ban makes no sense. Williams, Michael Wood, Iain Lees-Galloway and Greg O’Connor 27 APRIL also attend. Eric Crampton tells Jim Mora on Radio New Zealand that anchor projects for the Christchurch rebuild were a terrible idea. Eric also discusses the government’s announcement about the Metro 4 APRIL 13 APRIL Sports Facility project in the city. We prepare a submission to the We prepare a submission to the Social Services and Community Education and Workforce Select Select Committee on the Child Committee on the Education Poverty Poverty Reduction Bill. Reduction Bill.
5 APRIL 10 APRIL 17 APRIL We prepare a submission to the As part of the Article IV missions, Briar Lipson responds on Education 27 APRIL Economic Development, Science the International Monetary Fund Central to a PPTA blog and Tracy Martin, associate Minister of and Innovation Committee on consults with a broad range of continues the debate on curriculum, Education, wants to regulate the the Commerce (Criminalisation of stakeholders. Oliver Hartwich and knowledge and skills. meaning of the commonly used Cartels) Amendment Bill. Eric Crampton share our views on word ‘teacher’. Roger Partridge housing policy and local government argues on Education Central that our with a delegation of the IMF. language is ours. If we let politicians de ne the meaning of commonly understood words, where will it end?
30 APRIL We prepare a submission to the Tax Working Group on the Future of Tax.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 27 MAY 1 MAY 5 MAY 8 MAY 14 MAY Ray Finch MEP, leader of the UK Bryce Wilkinson takes part in Oliver Hartwich joins the rst ILANZ- New Zealand has vocational training. Independence Party’s delegation a panel discussion with Donna Bell Gully General Counsel Forum But what happens in secondary school to the European Parliament Provost from the Children’s to discuss the economic outlook for before students start a vocational and spokesman for Foreign and Commission, and David Hanna 2018 and beyond while focusing on programme matters too. Martine Commonwealth A airs, visits from Wesley Community Action on regulation, localism and education. Udahemuka remarks in Education our oce. Oliver Hartwich the government’s proposed targets Central on the striking di erences shares our prospects for greater for child poverty. Bryce argues that 11 MAY between our system and Germany’s. cooperation between the United e ective action is imperative for Jenesa Jeram discusses on TVNZ’s Kingdom and New Zealand, given housing, education and job access, Breakfast her new report Smoke and 17 MAY the UK’s impending exit from the but grandiose and distant targets Vapour, including the changing world Eric Crampton analyses in European Union. may not help much. The interview is of tobacco harm reduction. Newstalk The Dominion Post what’s good, published on Facebook in July. ZB, Radio New Zealand and Newshub bad and risky in the 2018 Budget. 4 MAY also cover the report. With Auckland Mayor Phil Go 5 MAY halfway through his rst term, we At the Social Innovation New invite him to speak at a members’ Zealand conference in Auckland, breakfast about his strategies for Jenesa Jeram speaks on a panel transport and housing in Auckland. about governance and public policy. This event is hosted by our She explains some of the limitations member, PwC. of government and bureaucracies in implementing new solutions to entrenched social problems. 11 MAY Chapman Tripp and the Initiative host a members’ lunch with Hon David Parker. The Minister speaks about New Zealand’s trade and 17 MAY export growth. On Budget Day, we welcome Associate 4 MAY Finance Minister James Shaw’s In Idealog, Eric Crampton shares announcement of a new, independent what keeps him up at night in a body to assess government forecasts new series in partnership with Tech and cost political party election Futures Lab. promises. The announcement echoed our call for a scal council, rst proposed in our 2014 report Guarding the Public Purse: Faster Growth, Greater Fiscal Discipline. 28 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE JUNE 25 MAY 2 JUNE 22 JUNE 28 JUNE Eric Crampton comments on Radio We host the rst researchED event in Briar Lipson addresses 55 secondary After New Zealand’s worst road New Zealand on the new taxi service Auckland. Policymakers, researchers, principals at a meeting of the PPTA’s accident in 13 years, Sam Warburton to rival Uber. Zoomy now has more principals, teachers and Briar Secondary Principals’ Council on tells Mike Hosking on Newstalk than 80,000 app downloads and Lipson share how they have used the NCEA review. Briar shares the ZB the road toll has gone up by 60 more than 2,000 drivers, but can it evidence-informed practices to drive analysis and ndings from her percent over the past four years, but become pro table? classroom performance report Spoiled by Choice, and speaks travel is only up 15 percent. alongside Hobsonville Point School 25 MAY Principal Maurie Abraham and 28 JUNE AND 17 JULY Children in New Zealand are at the Victoria University’s Dr Michael In Presbyterian Support Northern’s bottom of the class in reading among Johnston. free public lecture series in Auckland English-speaking countries. Roger and Wellington, Jenesa Jeram Partridge explains on Stu where 24 JUNE speaks about how we should we should seek solutions. Wallace Chapman interviews measure child poverty and what the Jenesa Jeram on Radio New new Child Poverty Reduction Bill 31 MAY Zealand about how we measure will achieve. British educator Katharine child poverty. Jenesa says the Birbalsingh, whom then UK Foreign Child Poverty Reduction Bill is Secretary Boris Johnson described 6 JUNE underwhelming and the way we as “a powerful and inspirational head Oliver Hartwich speaks to measure poverty isn’t consistent. teacher,” joins us for a dinner lecture Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking on in Auckland. She also appears on the Fair Pay Agreements setting 27 JUNE TVNZ Breakfast and is interviewed for minimum standards for wages and At Payments NZ’s The Point 2018 an article in The New Zealand Herald. employment conditions for workers conference, Oliver Hartwich talks within speci c industries. about the true state of the Euro crisis by explaining the European Central Bank’s Target 2 system.
31 MAY On World No Tobacco Day, Jenesa Jeram argues on The Spino for a ‘harm reduction’ approach that includes tobacco products.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 29 JULY 1 JULY 10 JULY 15 JULY 26 JULY Radio New Zealand investigates When two resignations in 24 hours At Local Government New Zealand’s At AGCARM’s 2018 conference, who is setting the agenda through busted UK Prime Minister’s ‘soft (LGNZ) annual conference, President Oliver Hartwich puts forward the opinion pieces in New Zealand. Brexit’ plans, Oliver Hartwich speaks Dave Cull announces Project case for localism in New Zealand and They nd that after universities, it is to The National Business Review Localism. This joint project between explains how it works in Switzerland. think tanks and sector groups – and about the factions and challenges for LGNZ and the Initiative calls for a the Initiative is leading the charge. Prime Minister Theresa May. shift in the way public decisions are made by seeking a commitment to localism.
29 JULY At the Festival of the Future event in Wellington, Oliver Hartwich participates in a panel discussion 2 JULY with Housing Minister Phil Twyford, Eric Crampton participates in a 16 JULY among others, on making housing roundtable discussion, Investing for 12 JULY Oliver Hartwich, Martine more accessible, a ordable and Social Wellbeing, hosted by Victoria Oliver Hartwich participates in Udahemuka and Acumen Republic sustainable. University and NZIER and attended two TVNZ panel discussions on the Chairman Michael Dunlop use by Minister for Social Development future of our lifestyles (“Could you Switzerland as a case study in their Carmel Sepuloni. make do with less stu ?”) and the presentation on building strong kindness economy (“Do you think economic prosperity. The trio spoke 6 JULY pro t should be the most important at LGNZ’s annual conference about Nicola Willis, National’s priority for a business?”). our 2017 delegation to Switzerland spokesperson for Early Childhood and what New Zealand could learn Education, joins us for a members’ 14 JULY from the Swiss models of education 30 JULY lunch in Wellington. She highlights Oliver Hartwich speaks to ABC and localism. We welcome Natanael Rother, a the importance of creating good Radio National in Australia on the Research Fellow from think tank policy to protect the younger increasing uncertainty of the future Avenir Suisse, to the team for six members of our communities. of the trans-Atlantic alliance and weeks. Natanael spends his time other international agreements researching New Zealand’s policies following President Donald Trump’s and industry groups. visit to Europe and the UK.
30 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE AUGUST 3 AUGUST 12 AUGUST 16 AUGUST 21 AUGUST Eric Crampton discusses at the At the ACT Party’s annual Victoria University of Wellington’s We begin our weekly column for Treasury’s Friday Forum the conference, Briar Lipson speaks debating society invites Briar Lipson Newsroom. In the inaugural column, importance of rebuilding economics about NCEA and the wider context to participate in a panel discussion Eric Crampton argues that the capability at Treasury. of New Zealand’s education system. on NCEA. The aim of the debate is to Government must change councils’ get more people talking about the incentives to grow if it truly wants to 6, 7 AND 9 AUGUST 13 AUGUST NCEA Review. improve housing a ordability. The Initiative hosts Bristish Oliver Hartwich is joined by economist Philippe Legrain for a the Swiss Ambassador David 22 AUGUST series of lectures in Auckland and Vogelsanger and LGNZ Chief The New Zealand Herald publishes Wellington on how our open world Executive Malcolm Alexander in Jenesa Jeram’s opinion piece on is under threat and why it matters, Carterton. The trio present their period poverty and how these side- and how hiring refugees can bene t experience and research on localism line campaigns cloud the core issue businesses. He speaks about the and how it might work for the of poverty. latter on The AM Show and The Wairarapa region. Project and writes an opinion piece for The National Business Review. 17 AUGUST At the Infrastructure New Zealand conference, Eric Crampton participates in a panel discussion on local government, infrastructure 16 AUGUST nancing and housing. The New Zealand Herald publishes an in-depth article on localism, “Local 17 AUGUST 7 AUGUST funding for growth”. The article Oliver Hartwich speaks at the Hardware chain Bunnings discusses whether restrictions on New Zealand Association for Warehouse agrees to pay its sta the local government funding are sti ing Migration and Investment’s (NZAMI) Living Wage of $20.55 per hour. Eric the ability of our cities to grow at annual conference focusing on think Crampton discusses the decision on their best. Project Localism, our joint tanks and housing. Newstalk ZB. initiative with LGNZ, is referenced.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 31 SEPTEMBER 7 SEPTEMBER 13 SEPTEMBER 20 SEPTEMBER 26 SEPTEMBER In The National Business Review, A brie ng from Ministry of Health’s We announce the appointment of Briar Lipson writes a column for the Natanael Rother discusses chief science advisor Dr John Potter New Zealand entrepreneur Stephen researchED magazine about why she New Zealand’s fascination with to the Prime Minister says a sugar tax Jennings to our Board of Directors. was inspired to campaign for more Switzerland, and Swiss politics, in would generate millions in revenue evidence-informed education. his opinion piece, “We’re rich but the and save lives. Eric Crampton tells question is: Why?” Newstalk ZB and The New Zealand Herald that a few important details 7 SEPTEMBER are missing from the report. We make a submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee 19 SEPTEMBER 21 SEPTEMBER on the Reserve Bank of New We release Fit for Purpose? Are Kiwis In an opinion piece in The Dominion Zealand’s (Monetary Policy) Getting the Government They Pay Post, Bryce Wilkinson says when Amendment Bill. For? Author Bryce Wilkinson nds governments in New Zealand are that the government is wasting spending 40% of GDP annually, New Zealand’s resources on a grand the quality of that spending 28 SEPTEMBER scale because it is failing to focus on really matters. We prepare two submissions for producing value for money. Bryce Treasury. The rst is about New speaks about the report on Breakfast Zealand’s Fiscal Policy Framework, and Newstalk ZB, and Oliver the second is on Treasury’s proposed Hartwich records a podcast for the changes to the Public Finance Act Q+A programme. as part of the Government’s agship Wellbeing Budget in 2019. 13 SEPTEMBER The Leader of the Opposition Simon 21 SEPTEMBER Bridges is our guest speaker at a Treasury releases its advice members’ lunch hosted by Bell Gully about an upcoming Cabinet Paper in Auckland. proposing Fair Pay Agreements. In a media release, we warn that the government must heed Treasury’s warning about rushing this policy process.
32 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE OCTOBER 30 SEPTEMBER 11 OCTOBER 17 OCTOBER 26 OCTOBER In an interview on Radio New We prepare a submission to the We prepare a submission for Eric Crampton writes a Top Ten Zealand, Bryce Wilkinson discusses Environment Committee on the Parliament’s Transport and column for Interest about the state his new report, Fit for Purpose? Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Infrastructure Committee on the of play for freshwater management. and compares productivity to Amendment Bill. Building Amendment Bill. how much money the government spends on core sectors such as education and health.
29 OCTOBER The rst meeting of the Project 12 OCTOBER 19 OCTOBER Localism Reference Group takes Briar Lipson gives the keynote Jenesa Jeram participates in a place in Wellington to discuss how presentation at the Cambridge roundtable discussion with the localism could work in New Zealand. 30 SEPTEMBER 6 OCTOBER Conference NZ on NCEA and the Government’s Welfare Expert The Initiative’s leadership team curriculum. Advisory Group on priority ideas for attend the 2018 Mont Pelerin welfare reform. Society’s General Meeting in the Gran Canary Islands. 23 OCTOBER Jenesa Jeram meets an American Cancer Society researcher to discuss New Zealand’s e-cigarette public policy landscape. 15 OCTOBER Eric Crampton participates in season 2 of the “What’s Next?” series, focusing on our economy. He discusses the pros and cons of capitalism in New Zealand and globally.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 33 NOVEMBER 1 2 NOVEMBER 9 NOVEMBER 14 NOVEMBER 22 NOVEMBER In Sydney, the Initiative’s leadership At the Cannabis Referendum Joel Hernandez explains in The Linking the pension age to health team attend a roundtable discussion conference in Wellington, Eric Dominion Post how his research expectancy maintains a relevant link with their counterparts from Crampton participates in a panel using integrated data shows what between retirement and receipt of several Australian think tanks. discussion with MPs Greg O’Connor e ect individual schools have on pension. Universal NZ Super is better The group also have a dinner with and Chloe Swarbrick, among others, student achievement after adjusting targeted if the majority of those former Australian Prime Minister to discuss the cannabis law reform for socio-economic backgrounds. eligible are retired, writes Jenesa John Howard. ahead of the public referendum on Jeram in The Dominion Post. personal cannabis use.
2 NOVEMBER In an opinion piece for The New Zealand Herald, Briar Lipson writes 14 NOVEMBER 22 NOVEMBER that the NCEA review is not tackling 10 NOVEMBER Oliver Hartwich is interviewed on Eric Crampton attends the Smart our declining performance. In a Stu article about sugar taxes, Newstalk ZB about the Brexit deal and Resilient Cities series for 2018 Jenesa Jeram says we need more announced by UK Prime Minister run by the Public Sector Network. public health incentives at the Theresa May. This year’s theme focuses on community level and a holistic building capabilities, strength and approach that includes physical and 20 21 NOVEMBER engagement through collaboration overall wellbeing. Briar Lipson attends the Rural and technology. Women New Zealand Summit 2018 at Parliament. She speaks on a panel 23 NOVEMBER about the future of work, and the Roger Partridge writes a column implication of this on New Zealand’s for The National Business Review 9 NOVEMBER education. following the news that some Bryce Wilkinson attends a Year 13 students did not know the workshop in Christchurch on meaning of the word ‘trivial’ in their the lessons from the “Recovery NCEA History exam. The column is Governance Arrangements” republished on Education Central. following the city’s 2010/11 earthquakes.
34 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE DECEMBER 26 NOVEMBER 3 DECEMBER 6 DECEMBER 18 DECEMBER Project Localism, our joint initiative The Project Localism Reference Oliver Hartwich and Eric Crampton Jenesa Jeram explains why we need with LGNZ, gets a mention in a Stu Group meets for a second time to meet with Richard Harris, a visiting to “Stop telling young people NZ article on how revitalising small town discuss the bene ts of localism for professor from Durham University Super is una ordable” in The Spino . New Zealand is a key way to helping New Zealand. to discuss the state of New Zealand’s ease the pressure on Auckland. economy. 4 DECEMBER 27 NOVEMBER Jenesa Jeram introduces her new 7 DECEMBER Oliver Hartwich, Eric Crampton, report, Embracing a Super Model: At our nal members’ lunch of Briar Lipson and Joel Hernandez The Superannuation Sky is not the year, we host James Shaw, speak about the cultural importance Falling, on The AM Show. The report Co-Leader of the Green Party of think tanks, and our research is also covered in The New Zealand and Minister for Climate Change. areas, for a short video. Herald, The National Business He discusses the Government’s Review, Stu , and Newsroom, and on renewable energy policy. Mercury’s Newstalk ZB, Radio New Zealand and Chief Executive Fraser Whineray RadioLIVE. responds to the Minister’s 20 DECEMBER presentation. On Newstalk ZB, Eric Crampton discusses what the minimum wage increase means for our economy.
29 30 NOVEMBER Eric Crampton attends the Canterbury Earthquakes Symposium in Christchurch. Our report, Recipe 13 DECEMBER for Disaster, is highlighted in Mayor Oliver Hartwich speaks about Brexit Lianne Dalziel’s opening speech. on Newstalk ZB. He says UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s days are numbered as her party is deeply divided over Brexit.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 35 WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT US
“The New Zealand Initiative provides “ The work the that The New Zealand Initiative does is a valuable service to our readers and important not just for this generation of New Zealanders, but subscribers with its weekly column of economic insights. The Initiative’s writers for the next generations as well. The New Zealand Initiative are all experts in their respective elds covers a wide range of subject areas using in depth evidence and are major contributors to debates on issues relevant to the business and research. They are not afraid to raise confronting and community and beyond.” challenging issues that we face as a country. They deliver Nevil Gibson | Editor-at-Large, reports on a wide range of issues that are both helpful and The National Business Review insightful. It is important to have independent think tanks such as The New Zealand Initiative to raise issues, challenge “ The New Zealand Initiative’s government, business and the community and to ensure as a methodological, fact-based approach country we progress these important conversations.” to policy is ideally placed to improve public understanding on many of the Hon Louise Upston | MP for Taupo, National Party key challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand.”
Stephen Jennings | Chief Executive, “ Good quality public policy discourse is more important that it has ever been in today’s fast- Rendeavour moving digital world. It is a critical underpinning for a well-functioning democracy. Taking the time to do considered research on important topics like education, housing and where to next for the economy are a must. Sometimes challenging the conventional wisdom and digging below the ’30 second grab’ as The New Zealand Initiative does, provides an important contribution to New Zealand’s ongoing prosperity.”
Kate McKenzie | Chief Executive, Chorus
36 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE Regardless of the ups and “ downs of our political cycles, New Zealand needs smart long run policy thinking on both the challenges and opportunities that New Zealand faces economically, socially and environmentally. The bottom line is New Zealand only does well in the world when we perform above the means and expectations of other countries of comparable size. Thus, the world class and independent work of the NZ Initiative is critically important to provoke us collectively to innovate, experiment and embrace new thinking..”
Christopher Luxon Chief Executive, Air New Zealand, Chair of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 37 OUR TEAM
Chelsy holds a National Diploma in Business Dr Oliver Hartwich Administration and Prince II Foundation Dr Eric Crampton Executive Director Certi cate in Project Management. She has Chief Economist over 20 years’ experience providing support at top management level in New Zealand Oliver is the Executive Director of The and Britain. Eric is the Chief Economist at The New New Zealand Initiative. Before joining the Zealand Initiative and co-author of The Case Initiative, he was a Research Fellow at the for Economic Growth. He served as Lecturer Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, and Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Mangai Pitchai the Chief Economist at Policy Exchange in Department of Economics & Finance at the Research Director London, and an advisor in the UK House University of Canterbury from 2003 to 2014. of Lords. Eric is also the creator and author of the well- known blog O setting Behaviour. Oliver holds a Master’s degree in Economics Mangai is the Research Director at The and Business Administration and a Ph.D. in New Zealand Initiative. She has worked He has a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Law from Bochum University in Germany. as an editor and publications manager in Economics from George Mason University, think tanks for nearly a decade, particularly and a B.A. (First class, double honours) in at the Centre for Independent Studies in Economics and Political Science from the Sydney. Before that, she had worked in University of Manitoba. Chelsy Blair legal publishing in Australia, journalism in Operations Director California and India, and teaching in India.
Mangai has an M.Phil. in archaeology from Dr Bryce Wilkinson Chelsy is the Operations Director of The India and she studied journalism in California. Senior Fellow New Zealand Initiative. She works closely with the Board on governance matters and is responsible for membership, human Bryce is a Senior Fellow at The resources, and the Initiative’s nances. She New Zealand Initiative. He is also the also project manages the Initiative’s events, Director of economics consultancy Capital including our annual members’ retreat and Economics. Prior to setting this up in 1997, delegations of around 40 members on he was a Director of Credit Suisse First international tours. Boston (now First NZ Capital). Before moving into investment banking in 1985,
38 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE he worked in the New Zealand Treasury, from the Australian National University, has an interest in sugar tax regulations, reaching the position of Director. Bryce where he also worked as a lecturer in and has also co-authored publications on has a strong background in public policy macroeconomic policy. poverty, inequality, social impact bonds, analysis, including monetary policy, capital economic growth and housing. market research and microeconomic She has a Bachelor’s degree with rst class advisory work. Briar Lipson Honours from the University of Otago, He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Research Fellow majoring in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. University of Canterbury and was a Harkness Fellow at Harvard University. Briar is a Research Fellow specialising in Joel Hernandez education. Before joining the Initiative, she Policy Analyst was a Maths teacher and Assistant Principal in Dr Patrick Carvalho London, where she also co-founded the Floreat Research Fellow family of primary schools. Briar has worked for Joel is a Policy Analyst at The New Zealand international education consultancy CfBT, and Initiative. Joel joined the Initiative after the Westminster think tank Policy Exchange. Patrick is a Research Fellow at The completing his Master’s in Economics at New Zealand Initiative, with extensive She holds a Master’s degree in Economics Victoria University, where he worked on international experience in public policy from the University of Edinburgh. productivity, competition, labour economics across academia, public organisations and game theory. He also has a Bachelor of and private sector. He was Head of Science degree from the University of Otago, the Economic Studies Division at the majoring in Microbiology. Jenesa Jeram Federation of Industries of Rio de Janeiro Research Fellow and then Research Fellow at The Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney. More recently, Patrick was a Director at a Jenesa is a Research Fellow at The New Washington, D.C.-based consultancy. Zealand Initiative, focusing mainly on social He has Bachelor of Law degree from Rio issues and lifestyle regulations. She is the de Janeiro’s State University, a Master’s author of Health of the State, a report that in Political Science from the University looks at the evidence and ideology behind of Wollongong, and a Ph.D. in economics public health and lifestyle regulations. She
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 39 Helene Luey Simone White Linda Heerink Oce Administrator & Communications Ocer Communications Ocer Events Coordinator
Simone White is a Communications Ocer Linda Heerink is a Communications Ocer Helene Luey is the rst point of contact for at The New Zealand Initiative and the main at The New Zealand Initiative. She works The New Zealand Initiative and is responsible contact for media queries. She writes media closely with our research team as they for the day-to-day running of the oce. She releases and manages the Initiative’s social scope, write and publish research reports. works closely with our Operations Director media channels. Simone also engages Linda engages with stakeholders and media to plan our in-house and external events and with the Initiative’s members, collates our to facilitate opportunities for the research helps keep the website content updated. Annual Report and member updates, and team to discuss their reports across various Helene has worked for many years in event works with the leadership team as they forums: print, TV and radio. Linda also coordination, administration and marketing scope, write and publish research reports. manages the Initiative’s weekly newsletter, for Oticon New Zealand, and more recently She engages with the media to facilitate Insights, and helps maintain the Initiative’s as an administrator for the Royal Australian opportunities for the team to discuss their social media channels and website. and New Zealand College of Radiologists. research across various forums: print, TV Linda has worked in communications at the She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and radio. Simone has previously worked in Dutch Postcode Lottery, BankGiro Lottery, Administration from Victoria University communications at The Royal Australasian and FriendsLottery in The Netherlands. of Wellington. College of Physicians and New Zealand Post. She holds a Bachelor of Communications She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media degree. Studies and Classical History from Victoria University of Wellington.
40 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 41 OUR BOARD
Roger Partridge Barbara Chapman, major projects. He has been an independent Chairman, The New CNZM Director of Tainui Group Holdings Limited Zealand Initiative Chair and Independent since 25 March 2011. Director
Roger Partridge is chairman and a co-founder Barbara Chapman served as Chief Executive John Judge of The New Zealand Initiative, and a senior and Managing Director of ASB Bank Limited Independent Non- member of its research team. He led law from 2011 until 2018. Since 1994, she has Executive Director rm Bell Gully as executive chairman from held several diverse senior executive roles 2007 to 2014, after 16 years as a commercial with the Commonwealth Bank Group of John Judge was formerly Chief Executive litigation partner. Roger was executive companies, having started her career with of Ernst and Young New Zealand and director of the Legal Research Foundation, the Group as Chief Manager Marketing at former Chairman of ANZ Bank and Accident a charitable foundation associated with the ASB. Ms Chapman is the Chair of Genesis Compensation Corporation. He is also a University of Auckland, from 2001 to 2009, Energy and an Independent Director of former Director of Fletcher Building Limited and was a member of the Council of the New Fletcher Building, IAG and Herald publisher, and Fletcher Building Finance Limited. John Zealand Law Society, the governing body of NZME. She was named the New Zealand is a member of the Otago University School the legal profession in New Zealand, from Business Leader of the Year in 2017 and of Business Advisory Board. 2011 to 2015. He is a chartered member of made a Companion of the New Zealand the Institute of Directors, a member of the Order of Merit in the 2019 New Years University of Auckland Business School Honours Roll for services to business. Linda Meade advisory board, a member of the editorial Lead Partner, Deloitte board of the New Zealand Law Review, and a Access Economics member of the Mont Pelerin Society. Matthew Cockram Chief Executive, Cooper Linda Meade is Partner at Deloitte New and Company Zealand. Since joining Deloitte 13 years ago, Linda has played a lead role in the Matthew Cockram serves as the Chief delivery of public sector and infrastructure Executive Ocer and Principal of Cooper engagements, with particular emphasis and Company NZ. Prior to that, he spent on central government departments, the 20 years at law rm Bell Gully, with the transport sector, education and housing. last ve years as Chairman, specialising in construction, commercial property and
42 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE Neil Paviour-Smith Chris Quin Stephen Jennings Managing Director, Chief Executive, CEO and Founder, Forsyth Barr Foodstu s North Island Rendeavour
Neil Paviour-Smith is the Managing Director Chris Quin was appointed CEO of Foodstu s Stephen Jennings is one of New Zealand’s of Forsyth Barr, a leading New Zealand share- North Island Ltd in May 2015 and joined the most successful entrepreneurs. For more broking rm and investment bank. He is a business in 2015. Chris has since immersed than 20 years, the Taranaki-born economist Director of the New Zealand Exchange (NZX) himself in the unique world of grocery and and investor has been living and working and the Chartered Accountants Australia works with the Foodstu s Co-operative in emerging markets. A pioneer of capital and New Zealand, and a Council Member of team and its 350 store owners to create a markets in Central and Eastern Europe Victoria University of Wellington. leading supermarket experience for New and Africa, he is responsible for more than Zealand shoppers. $200 billion worth of investment into these regions. Prior to joining Foodstu s, Chris was CEO Scott Perkins of Spark Home, Mobile and Business and led As the leader of Africa’s largest urban Non-Executive Director, the company through the very successful development company, Rendeavour, he Woolworths Limited and rebrand from Telecom to Spark. From 2008 now helps build city-scale developments in Brambles Limited to 2012, Chris was CEO of the then Gen-i some of the fastest growing cities in Kenya, Australasia (now Spark Digital); in 2012, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, and the Democratic Scott Perkins is a Non-Executive Director he spent three months as Acting CEO of Republic of Congo. of Woolworths Ltd and Brambles Ltd. Spark Group. He is an active participant in the not-for- pro t communities in Australia and New Chris relishes his role as Chairman of business Zealand and has an extensive career in incubator The ICEHOUSE and is on the Board nancial services. He was head of corporate of Directors for Loyalty NZ. In 2010, Chris nance for Deutsche Bank Australia and received an Emerging Leader Award at the New Zealand. annual Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards, and the Chairman’s Award at the 2010 TUANZ Innovation Awards.
THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE 43 OUR MEMBERS Acumen Republic EY Mercury Our Honorary Members Air New Zealand First NZ Capital Meridian Tony Carter Alan Gibbs Fletcher Building Myers Family Sir Roderick Deane AMP Fonterra NZX Bob Field ANZ Foodstu s North Island Philip Morris (NZ) Catherine Issac ASB Forsyth Barr PortfolioConstruction Forum Peter Shirtcli e Auckland Airport Freightways Presbyterian Support Northern Our Alumnus Members AWF Madison Gallagher Group PwC Paul Baines Bell Gully Genesis Energy Russell McVeagh Charles Bidwill BNZ Google Service IQ Dean Bracewell British American Tobacco Greymouth Petroleum Southern Cross Health Society Tony Falkenstein Cameron Partners Grant Samuel Stephen Jennings Dame Jenny Gibbs Chapman Tripp Heartland Bank Tainui Group Holdings Murray Jack Chartered Accountants Australia IAG Tappenden Holdings Alan Judge New Zealand Imperial Tobacco Todd Corporation John Judge Chorus Infratil Toyota New Zealand Ian Kuperus Coca-Cola Amatil (NZ) Janssen Uber Joe La Grouw Contact Energy Kiwibank University of Auckland Sir Chris Mace Cooper and Company Kiely Thompson Caisley Vector Scott Perkins Countdown Lego Vero Sjoerd Post Craigs Investment Partners Lion Victoria University of Wellington David Richwhite Deloitte McKinsey & Company Vodafone Geo Ricketts Direct Capital Mainfreight Wellington City Council Sir Gil Simpson Dow Chemical (Australia) Mastercard Westpac Mark Synnott
The combined of the Members of the people revenue of our New Zealand Initiative provide in New member rms equals 30% economy employment to 150,000 Zealand
44 THE NEW ZEALAND INITIATIVE The New Zealand Initiative Annual Report 2018 © The New Zealand Initiative 2019
Published by The New Zealand Initiative PO Box 10147 Wellington 6143 New Zealand www.nzinitiative.org.nz
Designed by Angela Whitney, www.angelawhitney.com Printed by True North New Zealand Ltd
Cover photo: Piha Beach, New Zealand ANNUAL REport 2018