Should MPs get a pay increase? Their base salary is already $163,961 per annum. Is their role like any other job, or something more? Communications Manager Jason Heale tackles these questions and wonders if a pay rise risks disconnecting MPs from the citizens they serve ..read more

China's vehement denials and defensive stance regarding revelations of state-sponsored hacking present an interesting parallel to recent political rhetoric. Executive Director Tim Wilson says politicians need to cut the bluster and return to honest, substantive dialogue ..read more

What happens when the moral values of government conflict with those of its citizens? Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown compares recent rainbow crossing vandalism to similar protest actions and asks whether pride crossings installed at public expense are consistent with New Zealand's secular principles. He reflects on the question of how we can uphold our values while respecting the views of others ..read more

Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s time in politics has come to an end, prompting reflection on the previous government and their legacy as New Zealand faces the reality of debt, recession, and the need for spending cuts to public services. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle says the current government faces two choices: put national services on a strict diet or continue unsustainable spending that will burden future generations ..read more

In this fascinating episode of the Maxim Institute podcast, we explore the alarming decline in New Zealand's education standards, with over 40% of students failing recent NCEA writing and math tests. Special guests Dr Melissa Derby, Stephanie Martin, and Maryanne Spurdle examine root causes like inadequate teacher training, ideological conflicts in classrooms, and sidelined practical teaching methods. They provide insights on improving literacy, supporting teachers, depoliticising curricula, and reclaiming classroom excellence ..read more

New Zealand is among the majority of countries worldwide experiencing declining fertility rates. Marcus Roberts, Director of Research and Development, warns that urgent preparation is needed for impending economic and societal challenges and a future where funerals outnumber births ..read more

Has the West lost sight of Africa? What price does the continent pay for Western “greening” and are we hypocritical to impose less-than-tenable environmental practices on a region that produces just four per cent of global emissions? Researcher Natasha Baulis reveals how these attitudes are playing out in a development project she’s working on with her husband ..read more

Voter turnout in New Zealand's local government elections has declined in recent years, a surprising trend given the tangible impact councils have on citizens' daily lives. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown says clarifying responsibilities and increasing accountability is key to rebuilding trust in local democracy ..read more

Environmental issues require careful consideration as trade-offs are balanced against each other. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle suggests prioritising practical innovation over aspirational policies that divide and distract from conservation concerns ..read more

Waitangi commemorations were not near cataclysmic as predicted by some; in fact, a degree of progress may have been made. Executive Director Tim Wilson characterises ongoing Treaty debates as an internal family dispute and offers hope that we will continue to find ways to resolve our differences ..read more