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.

Podcast: Public Service Political Neutrality

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/

Fast-Track Approvals Bill

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

New Zealand's fairy godmother

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 Zealand's a-maze-ing government structure

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

Education for neurodivergent students

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.

Are councils debt constrained?

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.

Germany's dual education system

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

Podcast: Public Service Political Neutrality

The New Zealand Initiative

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