Oliver Hartwich

Wellington

Executive Director at The New Zealand Initiative

Economist, columnist, and executive director of The New Zealand Initiative.

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Articles

Webinar video: Smart Support for Councillors: AI Tools for Local Leaders

2 weeks ago | nzinitiative.org.nz | Oliver Hartwich |Nick Clark |Tim Brown

Webinar video: Smart Support for Councillors: AI Tools for Local Leaders Local democracy in New Zealand is facing a troubling imbalance: mostly part-time councillors must process complex information prepared by full-time professional staff, often receiving hundreds of pages just days before critical votes. Could AI help rebalance this information asymmetry and strengthen democratic oversight?
When populists cannot be tamed

2 weeks ago | nzinitiative.org.nz | Oliver Hartwich

In two weeks, we will take a delegation of New Zealand Initiative members to the Netherlands. We had hoped to study Dutch excellence in infrastructure, technology and regulatory reform. Now it looks like we will also land in a nation nursing a political hangover. On June 3, the right-wing populist Geert Wilders destroyed the government he helped create just 11 months ago. His Party for Freedom withdrew support.
When populists cannot be tamed

2 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Oliver Hartwich

Opinion: In two weeks, we will take a delegation of New Zealand Initiative members to the Netherlands. We had hoped to study Dutch excellence in infrastructure, technology and regulatory reform. Now it looks like we will also land in a nation nursing a political hangover. On June 3, the right-wing populist Geert Wilders destroyed the government he helped create just 11 months ago. His Party for Freedom withdrew support. Already have an account?
Newstalk ZB: Dr Oliver Hartwich warns of Trump's trade turmoil

3 weeks ago | nzinitiative.org.nz | Oliver Hartwich |Heather du Plessis-Allan

Reports & Media > Media > Newstalk ZB: Dr Oliver Hartwich warns of Trump's trade turmoil Newstalk ZB: Dr Oliver Hartwich warns of Trump's trade turmoil Dr Oliver Hartwich talked to Heather Du Plessis-Allan on Newstalk ZB about the potential global economic impact of Donald Trump's tariffs.
Tall poppy syndrome leaves Kiwis working harder not smarter

3 weeks ago | nzinitiative.org.nz | Oliver Hartwich

Later this month, our organisation, The New Zealand Initiative, will take a large delegation of top New Zealand business leaders to the Netherlands. It is not a trade mission but an ideas exploration. We want to see what makes the Dutch tick and what makes the Netherlands successful. As I was preparing materials for our delegation, one graph caught my attention. It tracked capital intensity and labour productivity for both countries from 1890.
Quadcast: Dr Oliver Hartwich on the origins of housing policy's socialist roots

4 weeks ago | nzinitiative.org.nz | Oliver Hartwich |Nick Cater

Reports & Media > Media > Quadcast: Dr Oliver Hartwich on the origins of housing policy's socialist roots Quadcast: Dr Oliver Hartwich on the origins of housing policy's socialist roots Dr Oliver Hartwich talked to Nick Cater on Quadcast about the enduring influence of 1940s socialist planning on housing markets in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Trump’s retreat in Europe shocking but not surprising

1 month ago | nzinitiative.org.nz | Oliver Hartwich

Was it really an “excellent” phone call with Russia’s dictator, Vladimir Putin? Did it signify, as President Donald Trump declared last week, an imminent breakthrough for peace in Ukraine? The President’s public pronouncements certainly suggested so. Yet behind closed doors, a starkly different mood prevailed. When President Trump later briefed European leaders, his words met not relief but what reports described as “puzzled silence” and profound consternation.
Trump's retreat in Europe shocking but not surprising

1 month ago | newsroom.co.nz | Oliver Hartwich

Comment: Was it really an “excellent” phone call with Russia’s dictator, Vladimir Putin? Did it signify, as US President Donald Trump declared last week, an imminent breakthrough for peace in Ukraine? The President’s public pronouncements certainly suggested so. Yet behind closed doors, a starkly different mood prevailed. Already have an account?
The Comparative Advantage

1 month ago | quadrant.org.au | Oliver Hartwich

The ideas that will transform our nations may be written in languages we have yet to learn May 25 2025 7 mins MAGA Republicans and Euro-nationalists might want to reflect that they are both doing what Putin wants—which is to divide Europe from America May 25 2025 9 mins Keith not only broke through the barriers -- he built new and stronger platforms that are more essential than ever May 25 2025 7 mins As this edition of Quadrant reaches readers, I shall be making final preparations for the...
Our fearful mindset may be AI’s greatest hurdle

1 month ago | nzinitiative.org.nz | Oliver Hartwich

On Tuesday morning, I attended a breakfast in New Zealand’s Parliament. The latest report from NZIER, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, to Xero, the online accounting software company, “Going Digital in 2025,” was unveiled. There was much excitement about the potential for digital transformation to invigorate the economy. New Zealand’s businesses have long struggled to produce more value from the same labour and capital inputs. To read the full article on The Australian, click here.