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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. Please RSVP as drinks and canapes will be served at both events. |
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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. |
