|
|
Library by Type - Books and reports
All of our publications are available for download or purchase. Please click on the 'Enquire now' button for information regarding pricing and availability. Alternatively click on the the 'View PDF' icon to download a complete copy in PDF format.
|
Display.
|
Displaying: 1 - 32 of 218 items.
|
Page 1 of 7 Next
|
|
|
|
What’s Wrong with Neoclassical Orthodoxy?
12 November 2010, Wolfgang Kapser
An Overdue Methodenstreit
|
|
Pathways to Prosperity for Indigenous People: The 2010 Sir Ronald Trotter Lecture
2 November 2010, Noel Pearson
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
|
Economic Freedom of the World 2010
20 September 2010, the Fraser Institute
The Economic Freedom of the World measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of
countries are supportive of economic freedom. The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of privately owned property.
|
|
|
Local Government Forum: Port performance and Ownership
18 August 2010, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research
The OECD and the 2025 Taskforce, together with some private commentators, have recently highlighted the high level of local authority ownership among New Zealand ports and suggested that this is a barrier to port rationalisation and may be leading to inefficient investment in ports for parochial reasons.
NZ $0.00
incl GST
|
|
Taxing Growth and Development
1 March 2010, Local Government Forum
Landowners have traditionally been required to bear the capital cost of works that are undertaken within subdivisions and developments and are necessary to enable council provided services to be used. Landowners have also been required to compensate local authorities for certain costs that councils incur in connecting council-provided services for land that is subdivided or developed..
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
|
NZ Economic Fact File
30 October 2009, New Zealand Business Roundtable
The first part of the file comprises New Zealand statistics produced mainly by New Zealand statistical authorities. The second part contains some international comparisons of New Zealand trends and rankings vis á vis other countries.
|
|
Te Oranga o te Iwi Maori Working Paper 5: Maori and Welfare
20 July 2009, Lindsay Mitchell
Writing in the Dominion Post in 2006, New Zealand Business Roundtable
chairman Rob McLeod (Ngati Porou) reminded us that when the general
unemployment rate had been over 8 percent there was widespread anxiety, yet
Maori unemployment was still that high and was attracting little comment.1
At that time, 88,500 or 29 percent of working-age Maori (18-64 years) were
receiving a benefit.2 More positively, 71 percent of Maori were not receiving a
benefit.
Unfortunately, however, Maori statistics paint a regrettable picture, not only
because of current over-representation in most negative social indicators, but also
because the disproportion was less pronounced in the past. Maori were not
always over-represented in dole queues, prisons, and the courts, in high rates of
gambling and alcohol addiction, youth suicide, substance abuse and smoking.
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
Opportunities of a Lifetime: Lessons for New Zealand from New, High-Growth Economies - the 2009 Sir Ronald Trotter Lecture
7 April 2009, Stephen Jennings
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
Income and Wealth Redistribution: Should it be a Role of Local Government?
30 March 2009, Local Government Forum
There are good reasons why local government should not engage in explicit income redistribution, apart from the delivery of central government programmes and remission of rates and charges on hardship grounds. They include the following:
- Aside from matters relating to procedural fairness, local authorities are generally poorly placed to judge equity issues on an informed and objective basis.
- Redistribution by individual councils may not advance the overall redistribution goals of the government.
- Council redistributive programmes may impose costs on ratepayers that would otherwise fall on taxpayers.
- Councils generally lack expertise in the area of income and wealth distribution, and it is unlikely to be efficient for councils to acquire the information and skilled resources that would be required.
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
Local Government and the Provision of Public Goods
27 November 2008, Local Government Forum
The purpose of this report is to provide a primer on the core role of local government: the provision of public goods.
Governments have to distinguish their roles from those of the private sector and prioritise their plans because the demands on them are unlimited, but resources are scarce. There are some tasks that it is vital for governments to perform, and governments need to excel in them. There are a great many more tasks in a community that citizens can better undertake themselves through market transactions and other voluntary arrangements.
One of the two primary functions of government is to ensure the efficient provision of public goods (the other is to maintain order). Both national and local governments have public good responsibilities.
The distinctive features of public goods are, first, that non-payers cannot easily be excluded from receiving the benefit that others pay for (that is, public goods are susceptible to free riding) and, second, that one person's consumption does not reduce the consumption opportunities of others.
Goods with both of these characteristics are likely to be under-supplied by private firms or not supplied at all (unless under contract to a government entity). Firms cannot provide the level of such goods and services that would maximise net benefits across the community and still recover the full costs of supply.
Most services provided for the public do not have public good characteristics. They are provided by firms and funded from the revenue raised. These are termed private goods. If it is cost-effective to charge directly for a service, it is likely to be a private rather than a public good.
An examination of local government activities would identify many that are clearly private good in nature, such as ports, airports, off-street car-parking facilities, cinemas, forestry and farming. Economic analysis suggests that community well-being would be enhanced if councils exited from such activities.
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
|
Te Oranga o te Iwi Maori Working Paper 4: Te Puni Kokiri: The Ministry of Maori Development
20 November 2008, John Luxton
It is interesting in a public policy sense to review the various roles that have been given to the Maori portfolio of government over the last 160 years. Maori Affairs is one of the oldest of all government portfolios. Over time, the changing role of the portfolio has reflected the government approach to Maori issues. This paper looks at what role such a ministry might play in future.
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
|
Economic Fact File
on New Zealand Economy
31 October 2008, New Zealand Business Roundtable
The first part of the file comprises New Zealand statistics produced mainly by New Zealand statistical authorities. The second part contains some international
comparisons of New Zealand trends and rankings vis á vis other countries.
|
|
Productivity Performance of New Zealand Hospitals 1998/99 to 2005/06
29 October 2008, Mani Maniparathy
The indicators of productivity in New Zealand's health sector are reason for concern, as is the paucity of transparent and reliable information with which to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and management. In spite of continuing substantial - and possibly unsustainable - increases in funding each year, the system struggles to meet some of its obligations, for example to provide treatment to all those who qualify under the points system.
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
|
A Primer on Property Rights, Takings and Compensation
3 October 2008, Bryce Wilkinson
This report is motivated by the realisation that there is a need in New Zealand for a
wider understanding of the importance of security of all property rights for civil peace, prosperity, constitutional government, social cohesion and ultimately the democratic system. Respect for private property rights implies the need for restraint, both by governments and by lobby groups. Such restraint is necessary for a civil society, and the reciprocal obligations confer mutual benefits. Indeed, any rule that asks people to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves has these attributes.
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
Te Oranga o te Iwi Maori Working Paper 3: Once Were Iwi? A Brief Institutional Analysis of Maori Tribal Organisations Through Ti
22 September 2008, Frédéric Sautet
This paper explores the nature of iwi through time and is structured in three parts. First, the role and institutional limitations of a tribal collective are examined. Second, the paper looks at the evolution of Maori institutional arrangements during the nineteenth century and the issue of the 'iwi counterfactual'. Third, contemporary iwi are analysed with broad conclusions drawn regarding the opportunities they pose, the challenges they face, and the alternatives available.
A free PDF copy of this report is available under 'Books and reports' (please see the menu on the left).
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
Te Oranga o te Iwi Maori Working Paper 2: The Maori Seats in Parliament
30 May 2008, Philip A Joseph
This essay advances four propositions: (a) the separate seats are unnecessary to
secure effective representation of Maori, (b) the seats entrench a form of historical paternalism that removes Maori issues from the mainstream political agenda, (c) the retention of the seats under MMP represents an insidious form of reverse discrimination and (d) the seats invite 'overhang' and the potential to undermine the expressed will of the people.
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
Do Economists Agree on Anything?
1 April 2008, Roger Kerr
Do Economists Agree on Anything? is a collection of essays and articles written between 2002 and 2007 by New Zealand Business Roundtable Executive Director Roger Kerr.
Do Economists Agree on Anything? is but one of the questions answered here. Whether it's climate change, economic growth, privatisation or school choice, Kerr is unafraid to tackle the hard issues.
Before finding the right answers, one must first ask the right questions. This collection does both. Whatever your interests, Do Economists Agree on Anything? will make you think and, more importantly, ask questions.
|
|
2008 Budget Personal Tax Package
11 February 2008, Business Roundtable report
Economic growth is a priority objective of the government. Growth requires
improvements in productivity and workforce participation. Both would be assisted
by lower taxes.
The reduction in the rate of company tax from 1 April 2008 is a welcome move.
However, personal tax rates are more important for many small and medium-sized
businesses and professional organisations, and for new equity invested in
companies by resident taxpayers. A coherent, medium-term strategy for personal
taxation is needed which is consistent with the decisions on business taxation in the
2007 Budget. At present New Zealand's tax policy is lacking in strategic direction
and vision.
The Tax Review 2001 (McLeod Review) remains a sound guide for such a
strategy. A key recommendation was the adoption of a lower, flatter income tax
structure. This would reduce the deadweight costs, complexities and other
inefficiencies of the present system.
|
|
|
Carbon Mitigation Scenarios
5 February 2008, Adolf Stroombergen
The government's aspirations are for New Zealand to be 'carbon neutral' by
2050, with intermediate carbon neutrality goals for major sectors - electricity
(2025), stationary energy (2030), transport (2040), total energy (2040). On a
worldwide basis, carbon neutrality means carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
emissions are offset by carbon absorption. For any given country, however,
carbon neutrality may also include the purchase of carbon credits from other
countries to offset domestic emissions, with neutrality being defined as
applying only to emissions above a given benchmark - 1990 emissions under
the Kyoto Protocol for the period to 2012...
A goal of achieving carbon neutrality at a date as far out as 2050 is difficult to
model meaningfully. Thus in this study we look at 2025 (also the focus of
previous work for the Emissions Trading Group) and select a milestone for
2025 that relates to the 1990 benchmark and is consistent with the 2050
objective.
|
|
|
The Economics and Politics of Climate Change - A Cool Look at Global Warming: The 2007 Sir Ronald Trotter Lecture
15 November 2007, Nigel Lawson
In recent years Nigel Lawson has written extensively on climate change and has argued that policies enhancing the global community's ability to adapt, rather than just those seeking to limit greenhouse gas emissions, are the most affordable and effective response. He has criticised what he identifies as the "religion of eco-fundamentalism" and has instead emphasised the need to focus broadly on solutions that promote social and economic development. In his address Lord Lawson will canvas the problems inherent in the Kyoto Protocol and similar initiatives focused narrowly on the reduction of fossil fuel by-products, and make suggestions for a more sustainable and lower-cost approach to the global warming challenge.
Nigel Lawson, Baron Lawson of Blaby, was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1983 to 1989. Earlier he was Financial Secretary to the Treasury and then Secretary of State for Energy in Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's first government. He was a key proponent of the Thatcher government's privatisation policy and his years as Chancellor were associated with tax reform, financial deregulation and his opposition to the poll tax.
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
|
Civil Society Report on Climate Change
1 November 2007, CSCCC
The science of climate change remains hotly contested,
with substantial disagreements over what impact
humanity might have on the earth's future climate (e.g.
McKitrick, forthcoming; Green and Armstrong, 2007;
Lindzen, 2005; Houghton, 2005). Nevertheless, there is
considerable pressure on politicians to take action.
Unfortunately, the organisation set up to advise
governments on what action to take, the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has shown
itself to be heavily biased (Henderson, 2007; Holland,
2007; Peiser, 2007; Tol, 2007; Kasper, This Volume). This
report is an attempt to provide an independent
assessment of the implications of climate change for
humanity and the policy options that might be adopted.
|
|
Does New Zealand have a household savings crisis?
1 October 2007, NZIER
|
|
No Free Lunch - The Costs of Taxation
17 August 2007, Alex Robson
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
Public Policy - An Introduction
2 August 2007, New Zealand Business Roundtable
INTRODUCTION
This paper is intended as an introduction to the topic of public policy. Contributing to
the development of good public policies for New Zealand is central to the mission of the
New Zealand Business Roundtable.
Good institutions and policies typically dominate other factors in determining the
economic performance of countries. Improvements to institutions and policies explain
much of the prosperity of Western nations since the Industrial Revolution and the rise of
countries such as China and India today.
New Zealand's earlier prosperity owed much to an environment of general economic
freedom and a generally observed rule of law. Its economic performance deteriorated
for much of the twentieth century with the adoption of policies that restricted economic
freedoms, and has improved in the past two decades as many of those mistakes were
corrected.
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
The Outcomes of Income Transfers
15 June 2007, Mark Harrison
Released this week, The Outcomes of Income Transfers, written by economist Mark Harrison and published by the New Zealand Business Roundtable, is a detailed analysis of the benefits and costs of redistribution.
NZ $33.75
incl GST
|
|
|
Democracy and Performance
20 March 2007, Local Government Forum
A manifesto for local government.
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
The New Zealand Curriculum
26 February 2007, Kevin Donnelly
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
|
The Trotter Times
2 February 2007, New Zealand Business Roundtable
A collection of speeches given by the late Sir Ronald Trotter between 1986 and 2002.
|
|
|
Environmentalism versus Constitutionalism: A Contest Without Winners
8 December 2006, Suri Ratnapala
NZ $22.50
incl GST
|
|
Why Have Kiwis Not Become Tigers?
6 December 2006, Frederic Sautet
Click here to download the pdf.
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
The Battle of Ideas: The 2006 Sir Ronald Trotter Lecture
8 August 2006, Peter J Boettke
In An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations,
Adam Smith argued that there was a virtuous circle that led
to increased prosperity. The source of economic growth and
development was the gains from specialisation and trade realised through
the greater division of labour and the expansion of the market economy.
The division of labour was limited by the extent of the market. But, as
the market expands, the division of labour is refined even further and
the gains from specialisation increase productivity further again. There
are, in other words, increasing returns to the expansion of the market
arena. This Smithian virtuous circle counteracts any tendency toward
being caught in the Malthusian trap of subsistence levels of production
and represents, instead, the progressive march of modernity.
In the lectures and notebooks that he used in writing his great treatise,
Smith summarised his position in the following manner: "Little else is
requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest
form of barbarism, but peace, easy taxes and a reasonable administration
of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things"
(1976a [1776], xl). Smith goes further and argues in the next passage that:
"All governments which thwart this natural course, which force things
into another channel or which endeavour to arrest the progress of society at a particular point, are unnatural, and to support themselves are obliged
to be oppressive and tyrannical" (ibid).
Evidence from the history of economic development supports
Smith - both in terms of the path to successful development and the
consequences of steering off that path. But one must unpack the basic
institutional infrastructure that serves as the background to Smith's policy
prescription. Smith's system of natural liberty (or Hume's of property,
contract and consent) consists of a network of complementary institutions
that all serve to minimise the threat of predation from both public and
private actors.
NZ $12.50
incl GST
|
|
|
School Choice: The Three Essential Elements and Several Policy Options
1 August 2006, Caroline M Hoxby
|
|
