Taxes in New Zealand have risen four times faster than incomes in the 20th Century. Taxes now take more of our income than in almost any country outside Europe. New Zealand has become a high tax country. This report looks at how good a job government is doing with all the tasks entrusted to it...

Tobacco policy in New Zealand has traditionally neglected the needs of smokers. The good news is that youth uptake of smoking has significantly declined. The bad news is that the current approach is not as effective in helping smokers become ex-smokers. If the government wants to achieve its ‘Smokefree by 2025’ aspiration, more support will...

This study draws on detailed survey-based information from business about the performance of New Zealand’s key regulators. The authors conclude from the responses that the (non-executive) board model of governance needs to be more widely adopted, particularly for corporate cops with an economy-wide beat.

NCEA completion rates have been increasing, with more children than ever earning an NCEA diploma. However, New Zealand’s performance on international benchmarks in numeracy and literacy has been flat or declining.

The recommendations in this report will raise expectations and equity by creating a safety-net of core subjects all students must master. They will reduce teachers’ workloads and the volume of assessment, reduce the opportunities and incentives to teach to the test, and improve teaching and learning.