MEDIA

The Education Ministry's considering changes to new literacy and numeracy tests like fewer questions, simpler language and letting students use spell-check. Documents obtained by RNZ show the Education Ministry and Qualifications Authority have been at odds about the tests' high failure rates. Read more

After Jacinda Ardern's resignation, New Zealand's new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faces a challenging year ahead. The country is grappling with the devastating impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle, while cost-of-living pressures continue to rise. Read more

Mike Hosking discusses Eric Crampton's Newsroom column about managing retreat and insurance in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Read more

Massive worker shortages across numerous industries have led to calls for more immigration, on other side of the debate there are concerns about infrastructure capacity. This to and fro has long made a immigration a political football kicked between the parties. Read more

Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to James Kierstead, who gives his summary of the failed hate speech laws before they discuss the need for generosity towards your ideological opponents, the woke re-editing of Roald Dahl's books, and the general issue with translations and tampering with texts.

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In this edition of Taxpayer Talk, the focus is on local government with guests Dr Oliver Hartwich and Callum Purves. A review into the future of local government has been commissioned but it fails to address the main issues affecting the sector, in particular the way it’s funded and what its main functions should be. Read more

A lift in the minimum wage is set to have a domino effect. The Government has announced the minimum wage will rise by $1.50 to $22.70 from April. Read more

Government clean car scheme breaks EV records, but ‘Ute Tax’ may need to rise to pay for discounts. New Zealand broke two records for electric vehicles in the month of December, capping off a year of surging demand for clean cars. Read more

In May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill led Britain to victory. He was celebrated as a hero, but only two months later, the Brits elected a new Parliament and a new Prime Minister, Clement Attlee. Read more

Sean Plunket talks with NZ Initiative's Dr Eric Crampton who gives us an economic wrap-up for 2022. Read more

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Mike Hosking discusses Roger Partridge's NZ Herald column about the narrow scope of the Covid-19 Royal Commission. Read more

Mike Hosking discusses Oliver Hartwich's The Australian column about the transparency, honesty, and openness of New Zealand's government. Read more

This week's podcast is a Free Kiwis episode. Drs Michael Johnston and James Kierstead discussed a range of issues with Dr Eric Crampton. Read more

Interview with Roger Partridge, chairman and a co-founder of The New Zealand Initiative.

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