On Newstalk ZB, Trish Sherson discussed New Zealand's defence situation with reference to the Initiative's podcast featuring Dr Oliver Hartwich and former Australian Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo. Trish emphasised that New Zealand can no longer rely on geographical isolation for security and needs to mature in its approach to regional defence responsibilities. Read more
Dr Prabani Wood spoke to Michael Laws on The Platform about her latest report "The Heart of Healthcare: Renewing New Zealand's Primary Care System". Watch below. Read more
This webinar discusses policy initiatives to strengthen vocational education pathways in New Zealand. Drawing inspiration from Germany's successful dual-training model, Josh Williams and Dr Michael Johnston discuss initiatives in secondary and tertiary education to enhance the status and quality of trades and industry training. Read more
Wellington (Wednesday, 19 March 2025) - Nearly twice as many New Zealand school leavers fall into unemployment compared to those who undertake workplace-based learning, according to a new report released today by The New Zealand Initiative. While 11% of 16-19-year-olds are not in employment, education or training, just 6% participate in workplace-based learning. Read more
On RNZ's morning report, Ingrid Hipkiss talks to Dr Michael Johnston about his latest report Trade Routes: Charting New Pathways from Secondary School to Industry Training. Listen below. Read more
On Newstalk ZB, Dr Michael's report was featured on its news segment. Dr Johnston's report reveals that only 6% of 16 to 19 year olds participate in workplace-based learning despite efforts by some committed teachers to encourage apprenticeships. Read more
On his show on Newstalk ZB, Mike Hosking talks to Dr Michael Johnston about his latest education report findings. The interview explores the report's key conclusions and implications for New Zealand's education system. Read more
On Newstalk ZB, Kerre Woodham discussed Dr Michael Johnston's report which proposes a trades entrance qualification for teenagers heading into apprenticeships. Dr Johnston's report suggests that one problem with attracting young people to trades is that society values university education more highly than apprenticeship training without justification. Read more
On Newstalk ZB, Nick Mills discusses Dr. Michael Johnston's report for the New Zealand Initiative which found that only 6% of 16-19 year olds participate in workplace training. The report advocates for a "trades entrance qualification" for high school students heading towards apprenticeships rather than university, noting the average age for starting an apprenticeship is surprisingly high at 28 years old. Read more
On Newstalk ZB, John MacDonald discusses Dr Michael Johnston's call to overhaul New Zealand's apprenticeship system, highlighting the need for schools to offer trades preparation qualifications and remove the stigma that apprenticeships are second-rate to university degrees. MacDonald supports Dr Johnston's suggestion for better connections between schools, trades, and training organisations, noting how Germany successfully directs half of its school leavers into apprenticeships. Read more
Wellington (Thursday, 13 March 2025) - The New Zealand Initiative will release a revealing podcast tomorrow featuring Michael Pezzullo, former Secretary of the Australian Department of Home Affairs, who makes a stark call for an integrated Australia-New Zealand military force to counter rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. In the wide-ranging interview with The New Zealand Initiative's Executive Director Dr Oliver Hartwich, Pezzullo makes several newsworthy statements, including: Calling for New Zealand to commit to Australia's defence through an "integrated ANZAC force" with combined command structures and joint units specifically for territorial defence Suggesting New Zealand reconsider its anti-nuclear stance to join the AUKUS security pact as a full partner Warning of a "10 to 20 percent chance" of conflict with China, which he describes as high enough that both countries should make serious preparations "The defence of New Zealand actually starts at the outer edge of the Australian territorial sphere," Pezzullo states in the interview. Read more
Dr Oliver Hartwich was featured in Newstalk ZB's news segments on Adrian Orr's resignation as Governor of RBNZ. Listen below. Read more
This is a fascinating journey into the art of learning with Professor Barbara Oakley, the brilliant mind behind the popular online course "Learning How to Learn" and New York Times bestselling author, as she joins us as our new Senior Fellow. Over the next 5 months, Barbara will embark on an exciting mission across New Zealand, collaborating directly with Primary and Secondary schools to transform how teachers approach education, particularly in mathematics. Read more
Roger talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform, articulating principled concerns about Donald Trump's approach to governance, warning that despite identifying legitimate problems, Trump threatens democratic institutions by systematically undermining constitutional checks and balances. Watch below. Read more
Wellington (Tuesday, 25 February 2025) - A new report by The New Zealand Initiative shows the government owns $571 billion in assets - equivalent to $275,000 for every Kiwi household. "The returns from these government-owned assets don't even cover the interest costs on the money borrowed to buy them," says Dr Bryce Wilkinson, author of The People's Portfolio: A $571 Billion Question. Read more
