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/

Evaluating global polices on safer nicotine

In this episode, Oliver Hartwich interviews Dr Michael Johnston about the free speech event at Victoria University that was postponed due to backlash within the university. 

They discuss the importance of free speech in liberal democracies, the changing perception of free speech as a partisan issue, and the concerning trend of young people trying to shut down events featuring disagreeable viewpoints.

Victoria University's postponed free speech event

In this podcast episode, Oliver and Nick discuss their recent report on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its implications for New Zealand.

They caution that while BRI investments could potentially help fund New Zealand's large infrastructure deficit, the country needs to be very careful about engagement to avoid becoming locked into China's geopolitical sphere of influence.

You can find their report "Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for New Zealand" on our website www.nzinitiative.org.nz

China's Belt and Road Initiative

In this podcast episode, James talks Professor Abhishek Saha about the state of academic freedom and free speech in UK universities.

They discuss the newly passed Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act, its key provisions, and its potential impact on protecting the right of academics and students to express diverse viewpoints without fear of censorship or repercussions.

Protecting free speech in UK universities

In this episode, Oliver talks to John Morris, ONZM, an educator and a former footballer who represented NZ on an international level. They discuss the decline of New Zealand's school system in recent decades and the difficulties in reforming it. With the right changes, New Zealand's education could be turned around in the coming years.

John Morris and the state of NZ's education system

In this episode, Oliver talks to Dr Murray Horn, former Secretary of the New Zealand Treasury and former CEO of ANZ.

They talk about the fiscal challenges facing the new government as it prepares its first budget amidst high inflation, recession, and mounting debt. 

Murray provides his expert perspective on what reforms are needed to control spending and put New Zealand's fiscal framework on a more sustainable trajectory, advocating for a focus on results, strengthened fiscal responsibility principles, public service leadership changes, clarified priorities, and improved service delivery.

Murray Horn and New Zealand's fiscal challenges

In this episode, Michael and James talk to Jonathan Rauch, famed American journalist and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute.


They discuss the importance of free speech and open debate for the advancement of knowledge and the health of our society.


They explore how cultivating the skills of constructive disagreement, from the classroom to the public square, may hold the key to navigating our increasingly polarised world and safeguarding the pursuit of truth.

Jonathan Rauch and the Constitution of Knowledge

In this episode, Michael and James talk to Dr Dennis Wesselbaum about issues with New Zealand's current university funding model, which relies heavily on student enrollment numbers. 

They explore potential reforms to create a more stable and effective system that balances access, workforce preparation, and research excellence.

Fixing New Zealand's university funding

In this podcast, Nick and Eric talk to Sam Broughton and Simon Randall from Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) about the potential for implementing city and regional deals in New Zealand - formal long-term partnerships between central and local government to better plan and fund local infrastructure and economic development. 

They explore the benefits such deals could provide, like aligning incentives, enabling tailored local policies, and sharing gains, while also examining the political barriers that need to be overcome.

Jonathan Rauch and the Constitution of Knowledge

The New Zealand Initiative

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