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AUCKLAND: CHRISTCHURCH: DUNEDIN: |
People of Virtue: Building free and vibrant societies in the 21st century George Weigel |
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Recent years have shown us the potential dark side of a free market economy as banks and businesses fail, unemployment numbers rise, and entire countries teeter on the edge of full economic collapse. Yet we also know that freedom is a necessary condition for human flourishing. How can we ensure that our freedoms build a healthy society rather than destruction? George Weigel contends that it takes "a certain kind of people, possessed of certain virtues" to ensure that our political and economic freedoms work towards genuine human flourishing. A vibrant, public moral-cultural life is what democracy and the free market needs, to guard against their potential excesses and power. In his talk, Weigel will lay out for us what this moral-cultural life looks like and how we can be the people, possessed of certain virtues, who work to bring such a vibrant public life about in New Zealand. Please email rsvp@maxim.org.nz or phone Michelle Young on (09) 627 3261 ext 2 by Friday, 21 October. As places are limited we suggest you contact us soon as possible.
Download an invitation to the Auckland event
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Monday, 25 July 2011 |
Facing the challenge: Navigating the politics and practice of welfare reform Iain Duncan Smith |
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As the former Chairman of the United Kingdom's Centre for Social Justice, Iain Duncan Smith saw the disastrous consequences of an ineffective welfare state: broken families, educational failure, personal debt, addiction and intergenerational worklessness. Now it is his turn to fix the system. As Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Duncan Smith has the opportunity to put his ideas into action; reforming welfare so that it better enables the poor and vulnerable to escape the trap of poverty. Duncan Smith's Welfare Reform Bill, described by the UK government as the "biggest shake-up of the welfare system for 60 years," is now before Parliament. In his evening lecture, Duncan Smith will share with us the ideas that undergird his approach to welfare reform and how he is putting these ideas into action within the context of both a coalition government and a period of austerity.
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The Grand Tea Room |
Annual Sir John Graham Lecture 2011 Renewing Compassion: A vision for welfare that frees rather than traps the poor |
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After decades of modern welfare programmes failing to solve the problem of intergenerational poverty, we need to admit that the system is broken. Welfare, originally devised as a way to support the poorest and most vulnerable in society, is now too often trapping the poor in the very condition it was supposed to alleviate. In the UK, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, is challenging the broken system. We are privileged to announce that in 2011, Iain Duncan Smith, will deliver our Sir John Graham Lecture. He will share with us his vision for the future of welfare—a future in which dignity, hope and aspiration are open to all. The Annual Sir John Graham Lecture provides an opportunity to hear leading international experts contribute to the policy debate in our country. Public debate and discussion stimulate creative thinking and this event offers a forum for new ideas to be tested and refined.
To find out more, contact our Events Manager, Michelle Young
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AUCKLAND: WELLINGTON: |
A Tale of Two Houses: Does MMP mean we don't need an upper house? Professor Nick Aroney |
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Not all democracies look the same. The type of electoral system we have, and the structure of our Parliament, affect the quality of our democracy and can make the difference between good and bad laws. They help determine whether the government can be held to account, and how well our politicians represent us. Despite our many similarities, Australia and New Zealand have quite different electoral systems and parliaments. New Zealand has one house of Parliament, elected via MMP, while Australia has several different voting systems across the county, most of them requiring laws to pass through two houses. Australian public law expert, Professor Nicholas Aroney, explores the pros and cons of one house and two house parliamentary systems, and ask whether the benefits of upper houses could also be delivered by an electoral system like MMP. For New Zealanders, the question ultimately becomes: does MMP make a second house unnecessary?
Download a copy of the Guest Paper
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AUCKLAND: CHRISTCHURCH: |
Annual John Graham Lecture 2010 Grounds For Hope: The irrepressible success of community-led education for the poor |
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We want every child to have the opportunity to learn, but what is the best way to provide that? Conventional wisdom tells us it is about the state providing free schools for all. Yet remarkably, in the poorest communities across the globe, it is private education that really delivers. Parents and teachers in those places are growing innovative, caring schools from the ground up; teaching and nurturing the rising generation. These schools are a reminder of what education is all about, and how it can really work. In Auckland and Christchurch, Professor Tooley recounted stories of people who are harnessing their creativity and ingenuity to provide quality education to some of the poorest children in the world. He built a case for education not rooted in a bureaucratic system, but in the communities that it serves, prompting questions about how we should think about "education for all." Download a video of the John Graham Lecture 2010 given by Professor Tooley in Auckland
 We gratefully acknowledge the support of DBB Capital. |
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Tuesday, 18 May 2010 The Christchurch Club |
The Heart of Policy: Ryan Messmore |
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Sometimes it seems as though politics is simply about winning arguments and scoring points. But at the heart of politics are people. Issues of social justice should be given serious consideration from all sides of the political debate—how do we best extend compassion to our nation's most vulnerable? Is there a way to restore community, and to encourage the provision of care in a way that is sustaining? Drinks and canapes will be served. |
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Wellington: |
Lock 'em up & throw away the key: Professor Warren Brookbanks and |
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There is significant and justified concern about serious violent crime in New Zealand, with many citizens genuinely fearful about their safety. Against this backdrop, National and ACT advocate a "get tough" approach to such crime including a proposed "three strikes" law under which repeat offenders will face mandatory and extended time in prison. Yet the proposed "three strikes" law risks gross distortions in sentencing practice; departs from central principles of our sentencing regime; and if international evidence is anything to go by, is likely to have many undesirable consequences. |
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Tuesday St Cuthbert's College Auditorium |
Untangling Aid: complexities, challenges, and ways forward for foreign aid Dr Jane Silloway Smith |
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New Zealand is a wealthy country in a world with much need. Confronted by this, many are concerned about the reality of severe poverty yet confused about what will make a difference in the lives of those who suffer. Maxim Institute spent much of last year researching foreign aid policy—its potential and its pitfalls. |
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Friday The Wintergarden |
Annual John Graham Lecture 2009 Free for all: negotiating freedom in a world of individuals |
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Freedom exists in the context of constraints. It is expressed in the lives of people, relationships and systems, and it competes with other values and virtues that are equally upheld. At this year's Annual John Graham Lecture, Cardinal Pell explored what is meant by freedom in modern Western democracies. Looking at issues such as the financial crisis, he asked: what should we use our freedom for, and when should we lose it? Listen to a recording of Cardinal Pell's lecture
We gratefully acknowledge the support of DBB Capital. |
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Thursday The Parenting Place |
Stepping In & Stepping Up: Effective interventions for conduct problems in childhood David Fergusson |
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Too many New Zealand children are mired in dysfunction. Abuse and poor parenting mark their early lives, setting them on a grim trajectory of anti-social behaviour leading to negative outcomes like substance abuse, poor health and crime. But though the problems are bleak, effective family intervention programmes hold out real hope of change. The best hope is in funding programmes that work, and getting in early. Professor David Fergusson will speak about the portfolio of interventions available to New Zealand and the need for careful and thorough implementation and evaluation of these interventions. Listen to co-author Alex Penk summarise Broken Boughs and introduce Professor David Fergusson |
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Thursday The Gus Fisher Gallery |
A Government for the People: The value of representative democracy Richard Ekins |
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We're often frustrated by political decisions that seem to go against the will of the nation. But are our MPs really betraying us when they don't do what we want them to? Are politicians calculators who tally public opinion, or people we trust to work out what is best for the country? Do we need more control over our politicians, perhaps through greater use of referenda? In this lecture, Richard Ekins asked whether MPs and Parliament should use independent judgment or channel the will of the people. Through this he built a case for representative democracy, and explore what this means for New Zealand's political institutions. Listen to the lecture by Richard Ekins |
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31 March 2009 Maxim Institute |
The bonds between us Hugh Evans |
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On Tuesday, 31 March 2009 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at Maxim Institute in Auckland, Hugh Evans spoke about the responsibilities we have to help those throughout the world living in extreme poverty, addressing the question, "What does civic responsibility look like in our time and place?" Hugh began his humanitarian work at the age of fourteen when he was the inaugural Youth Ambassador for World Vision Australia. Since that time he has been extensively involved in development work in a range of countries including South Africa, Ghana and Indonesia. In 2003 he established the Oaktree Foundation and in 2004 was named Young Australian of the Year. At just 25 years old, Hugh has been mentored by some of Australia's most prominent leaders including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Currently he is undertaking his Masters of International Relations at Cambridge University. |
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Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 March 2009 Christchurch and Auckland |
What is at stake? Baroness Caroline Cox |
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Baroness Caroline Cox, a crossbencher peer from the British House of Lords, recently visited New Zealand to deliver a lecture on behalf of Maxim Institute. The lecture, "What is at stake? Why we need to value the foundations of Western civilisation," was given in Christchurch on Wednesday, 25 March 2009 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at The Christchurch Club and in Auckland on Thursday, 26 March 2009 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Baroness Cox is known for her active involvement in humanitarian aid and human rights, as well as for her interest and work in slavery and education. Her work has taken her on many assignments to conflict zones, including Sudan, Burma, Nigeria and North Korea. She will be speaking about what she has seen around the world and the implications of these observations for those of us who live in the West. |
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28 January 2009 Maxim Institute Auckland |
Overcoming the Obstacles Jennifer Marshall |
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On Wednesday 28 January, Maxim Institute hosted an address by Jennifer Marshall, entitled "Overcoming the Obstacles: What works in welfare and education." This lecture took a critical look at welfare and education policies and fleshed out the demands of social justice in these areas. Ms Marshall is Director of Domestic Policy Studies at the US-based Heritage Foundation, one of the world’s most influential think tanks. She has spoken at national and international forums, appeared before Congress and on various radio and television shows, such as C-SPAN’s premier talk show, “Washington Journal” and Fox News Channel’s “Hannity & Colmes.”
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3 November 2008 The Gus Fisher Gallery |
Breakthrough New Zealand? |
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On 3 November 2008 Maxim Institute hosted "Breakthrough New Zealand" a lecture by Dr Samantha Callan. The lecture looked at possible lessons to be learned for New Zealand from the extensive UK report Breakthrough Britain which looks at reducing the costs of social breakdown. Dr Samantha Callan is an honorary research fellow at Edinburgh University, she is engaged in primary research into long-term marriage and committed relationships. She is now chairing two further policy reviews for the Centre for Social Justice. |
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October 2008 New Zealand Wide |
NZ Votes Political Debates |
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With the announcement of election day (8 November 2008) it is time to start finding out more about the parties and their candidates. NZ Votes debates around the country provide a great opportunity to hear from the parties themselves. With debates happening in Pukekohe, Whangarei, Rotorua, South Auckland, Helensville, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch, Upper Hutt, Nelson, Central Auckland (Greenlane), Wellington and Tauranga. Find out more about the debates, including when there is one near you visit the NZ Votes website Watch the promo video to see what happens at an NZ Votes Debate |
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13 August 2008 James Cook Hotel |
Principles of sound public policy |
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On 13 August 2008 Maxim Institute hosted an address in Wellington by Larry Reed, "Principles of sound public policy" looking at some of the foundational ideas that influence policy and debate. Larry Reed is president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a US-based research and educational institute. Under his leadership, the Mackinac Center has emerged as the largest and one of the most effective and prolific of over 40 state-based "free market" think tanks in America. |
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28 July 2008 The Grand Tearoom |
Parliamentary Recklessness: |
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A dinner in The Grand Tearoom of the Heritage Hotel will be followed by a lecture given by Professor Jeremy Waldron of the School of Law at New York University. Professor Waldron holds degrees in philosophy and law from the University of Otago and a doctorate in jurisprudence from Oxford University. He is the author of more than a hundred published articles and essays in legal and political philosophy, both contemporary and historical. The Annual John Graham Lecture provides an opportunity to invite leading international experts to contribute to the policy debate in our country. Public debate and discussion stimulate creative thinking and this event offers a forum for new ideas to be tested and refined. Listen to "Parliamentary Recklessness" |
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24 July 2008 Ernst & Young |
Statism vs Social Justice |
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Maxim Institute and the New Zealand Business Roundtable are delighted to invite you to a free public lecture by Father Robert Sirico In New Zealand, business is often vilified, while responsibility for people's welfare is seen primarily as the role of government. Father Robert Sirico will explain the alternative vision that social justice can offer, through a combination of civil society and business. Father Robert Sirico is President of the Acton Institute, which he co-founded in 1990. He has a Master of Divinity degree from the Catholic University of America and honorary doctorates from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and Universidad Francisco Marroquin. His writings have been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Forbes. |
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16 July 2008 49 Cape Horn Road |
Book Launch: |
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Maxim Institute is launching its new book, Silent Legacy: The unseen ways great thinkers have shaped our culture, on Wednesday, 16 July 2008. Silent Legacy is about some of the great minds that have formed history and will challenge your thinking on truth, reality, knowledge and beauty. The book launch was held at the Maxim Institute offices in Hillsborough, Auckland. |
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7 May 2008 The Gus Fisher Gallery |
Where from, where to? The modern tax dilemma |
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On 7 May 2008 Maxim Institute hosted an address by Paul Goldsmith, "Where from, where to? The modern tax dilemma," looking at the history of taxation in New Zealand and the main challenges we are facing now. Paul Goldsmith is an author, speechwriter and Auckland City Councillor. He has written biographies of Douglas Myers, Don Brash and John Banks. Paul currently runs his own writing and public relations business, and has previously been a Senior Consultant for a leading public relations consultancy. He has also been Press Secretary for three senior Cabinet Ministers. Paul has an MA in history from the University of Auckland and lives in Auckland with his wife and three children. He has recently authored a book on the history of taxation in New Zealand. |
