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Artwork for The New Zealand Initiative

The New Zealand Initiative

The New Zealand Initiative
New Zealand
Academic Freedom
Education
Grade Inflation
United States
Housing Affordability
Regulatory Standards Bill
Australia
Germany
Local Government
Artificial Intelligence
Literacy
New Zealand Government
Infrastructure
Commerce Commission
Free Speech Union
Free Speech
First Nations
Critical Thinking
Government Structure

Podcast by The New Zealand Initiative

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes338Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The New Zealand Initiative

Latest Episodes

The guns have paused in the US-Iran conflict but Oliver Hartwich and John Howard argue New Zealand should take little comfort from that. All parties are struggling to find an off-ramp, damage to Qatar's refineries alone means a two-to-three-year rebu... more

Bob Davies joined the New Zealand Army at 16 and served 31 years, rising to Sergeant Major of the Army. He deployed to Vietnam in 1968, took shrapnel wounds, caught malaria twice, and was exposed to Agent Orange. His infant son Geoffrey, born with sp... more

In this episode, Michael speaks with Professor Elizabeth Rata about the history of New Zealand's school system. The conversation challenges the contemporary narrative of 19th-century schools as authoritarian and oppressive. They discuss ways in which... more

In this episode, Michael talks to Lynda Knight, principal of Glenview School in Porirua, about how understanding the neuroscience of stress and trauma transformed her school's approach to dysregulated behaviour. They discuss why a felt sense of safet... more

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Recent Guests

John Howard
Retired Major General, Senior Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative
The New Zealand Initiative
Episode: An operational pause is not peace
Bob Davies
Veteran, former Sergeant Major of the Army
New Zealand Army
Episode: Thanked Once a Year: An Anzac Day Conversation with Bob Davies
Elizabeth Rata
Professor of Education
University of Auckland
Episode: What New Zealand's 19th-century teachers knew but progressive educators forgot
Lynda Knight
Principal of Glenview Primary School
Glenview Primary School, Parirua
Episode: Why children can't learn unless they feel safe
Andreas Heuser
Economist, founder of Heuser-Whittington; previously lead economist on the fuel security study
Heuser-Whittington (formerly Castalia)
Episode: Let prices do the job when fuel is scarce
Benno Blaschke
Dr. specializing in planning systems, urban economics, and competitive land markets; co-author of the Initiative's submission
The New Zealand Initiative
Episode: Will the Planning Bill actually deliver housing affordability?
Alain Bertaud
Urban planning expert, author of the Yellow Book
Mercatus Centre
Episode: Alain Bertaud on what planners control — and what they don't
Bryce Wilkinson
Co-author of their submission on the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill
The New Zealand Initiative
Episode: Why the RMA replacement falls short on property rights
Roger Partridge
Chair and Senior Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative
The New Zealand Initiative
Episode: Renovating the Nation: How Asset Recycling Can Help Solve the Infrastructure Deficit

Hosts

Nick Clark
Policy lead at The New Zealand Initiative and host/analyst on policy reform discussions.
Oliver Hartwich
Executive Director of The Initiative, frequent host discussing housing, regulation, and governance.
Eric Crampton
Chief Economist with The Initiative; frequent host providing economic critique of policy reforms.
Michael Johnston
Host of The New Zealand Initiative podcast; economist and policy commentator.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • Look deeper

    Just because you hear some news like immigrants are eating pets in Springfield Ohio, and it seems preposterous, doesn’t mean it isn’t true . You need to research outside the main stream and you will find plenty of evidence it did occur , videos and council meeting testimonies . Debunked you say …. Sorry , you’re wrong …

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    woz145
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • The art of conversation

    Great conversations. Just listened to the Bill English episode. Sensible, pragmatic and wise. He’s very in tune with Kiwis who go along with things until they don’t. Listen to the very end when Sir Bill talks about the use of data and its importance.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    spiritedcrone
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • These people make sense

    They are very pragmatic and to the point. Great podcast for quickly exposing yourself to somewhat unheard, sensible ideas.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dunners breather
    New Zealand5 years ago
  • Breath of fresh air

    I’m not a Kiwi, but it’s refreshing to hear opinions that aren’t based on “group think”. Same Apple does not allow individual episodes to be rated.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ctoime
    Australia5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Accessible yet rigorous conversations on complex issues.
Interesting international comparisons to NZ policy debates.
Fresh takes that challenge mainstream policy narratives.
Thoughtful critique of housing and planning reforms.
Pragmatic, data-driven policy analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#165
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What New Zealand's 19th-century teachers knew but progressive educators forgot
Q: What should we do about teacher education to fix the weak link in the system?
A dual approach is needed: teachers must be deeply knowledgeable themselves and also trained in effective teaching methods and the science of learning; reform should include a strong, tiered career structure for teachers and alternative in-school training models with highly competent mentor teachers.
What New Zealand's 19th-century teachers knew but progressive educators forgot
Q: So where does that kind of thinking fit into the picture in your mind?
It's difficult to reconcile the Rousseau-inspired romantic view of the child with the prior tradition that balanced instruction and activity, and the shift in the 60s–70s toward more egalitarian, race-based group identities undermined that balance, leading to years of reform that prioritized process over content.
Thanked Once a Year: An Anzac Day Conversation with Bob Davies
Q: How did Agent Orange affect your family, particularly your son?
My son was born with defects that were later linked to exposure; he lived only three days, and the government's delayed recognition added to the long, painful process for my family.
Thanked Once a Year: An Anzac Day Conversation with Bob Davies
Q: What was your first deployment like in Vietnam and how did you cope emotionally?
We trained for combat, but the emotional impact wasn't fully knowable until the contact happened; you function on instinct and then process it later when safe, often needing to decompress after the fact.
Thanked Once a Year: An Anzac Day Conversation with Bob Davies
Q: What motivated you to join the Army at such a young age?
Family history with wartime service and school cadet activities inspired me; I wanted to be part of something meaningful and immediately found purpose in military training and readiness.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The New Zealand Initiative

What is The New Zealand Initiative about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series focuses on economics, public policy, housing, infrastructure, and geopolitics in New Zealand, often analyzing how regulatory design, planning frameworks, and government reform impact growth and everyday life. Episodes typically feature policy experts and practitioners who dissect legislation, examine unintended consequences, and propose concrete reforms, with a recurring emphasis on property rights, housing affordability, and strategic governance. A standout trait is its willingness to challenge established policy narratives and reference international comparisons to illuminate local debates, making it helpful for listeners who want pragmatic, data-driven perspectives on complex public policy issues.

Where can I find podcast stats for The New Zealand Initiative?

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Which podcasts are similar to The New Zealand Initiative?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The New Zealand Initiative:

1. The Front Page
2. The Leighton Smith Podcast
3. The Mike Hosking Breakfast
4. Taxpayer Talk
5. Gone By Lunchtime

How many episodes of The New Zealand Initiative are there?

The New Zealand Initiative launched 6 years ago and published 338 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The New Zealand Initiative?

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What guests have appeared on The New Zealand Initiative?

Recent guests on The New Zealand Initiative include:

1. John Howard
2. Bob Davies
3. Elizabeth Rata
4. Lynda Knight
5. Andreas Heuser
6. Benno Blaschke
7. Alain Bertaud
8. Bryce Wilkinson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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