Another heavy-weight tabled its thoughts on our economy recently, when the OECD released its latest "Economic Survey of New Zealand." The survey points out that as a country we need to produce more and do it more efficiently...
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A British judge has recently made headlines around the world after claiming that marriage should be the "gold standard" for relationships. Jim Mora of Radio New Zealand spoke to Greg Fleming about this subject, asking whether marriage is an archaic idea, or whether it is still important for contemporary society.
Listen to Greg Fleming on THE PANEL with Jim Mora
Listen to Dr Samantha Callan's related lecture
Submission on Electoral Finance Reform
Elections are a fundamental part of what makes our society work. The Government is in the process of looking into laws that regulate elections. Maxim Institute has made a submission to the first stage of the this process, arguing that the law needs to strike an appropriate balance in respecting both freedom and equality, while also allowing citizens to participate. This balance is difficult to find, but it is particularly crucial that freedom is respected as a first principle when it comes to the way that elections are run. The submission also looks at what constitutes advertising in the lead up to an election.
Read the full submission
The Government is looking into the details of the National Standards for Reading, Writing and Mathematics, which will be introduced to schools in 2010. Maxim Institute has made a submission on the draft Standards, supporting their introduction and suggesting that some more work needs to be done on how the Standards are assessed, to make sure they really provide the quality information they are intended to.
Read the full submission
Study finds declining rates of female happiness
A new study, reported in the New York Times, has found women's happiness is on the decline. This seems to be occurring despite opportunities and freedoms for women opening up over the past few decades. Jim Mora from Radio New Zealand spoke to Jenny Horst on behalf of Maxim Institute, about this paradox.
Listen to the full interview
Abolish school zones for fair enrolment policy
It's rough on kids when they're judged by their parents' income. But that's exactly what school zoning policy does. The current policy, based on geographic school zones and a random ballot of spare places, leads to "selection by mortgage." Where you live can decide the quality of education your children receive. This policy systematically locks many lower-income children out of good schools.
Read the full article
Would you like to know more about Maxim Institute? Maxim Institute has produced a short introductory video which provides an explanation of who we are, what we do and why we do it.
Watch the video here
