Rigorous evaluation is crucial
A few years ago in America, some bright spark had the idea that troubled young delinquents needed to be shocked onto the straight and narrow by being shown where their errant behaviour was likely to lead. It sounded like a great idea—the only problem was, it didn't work.
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This year's Annual John Graham Lecture will be held in both Auckland (Thursday 2 September) and in Christchurch (Monday, 6 September).
The lecture will feature Professor James Tooley, author of The Beautiful Tree, who will recount stories of people who are harnessing their creativity and ingenuity to provide quality education to some of the poorest children in the world. He will build a case for education not rooted in a bureaucratic system, but in the communities that it serves, providing lessons for developed countries like ours.
Download an invitation to the event
Maxim Institute Researcher, Dr Jane Silloway Smith, was interviewed on RadioLive regarding the recently released Welfare Working Group Report discussing the sustainability of New Zealand's current welfare system.
Listen to the interview
Time for a positive future direction for tax
"The tax system should be designed in a way that is friendly towards economic growth. Some of the key drivers of growth are innovation, investment, enterprise, increasing skills and using resources efficiently," says Maxim Institute researcher and author of "Lifting the Bucket," Steve Thomas.
Read the full media release
A different future for development assistance
In May 2009 the president of Rwanda made an impassioned plea to the givers of foreign aid to break out of old patterns of giving and embrace a different future for development assistance. Many development experts, economists and aid practitioners have also signalled the need to break our habits of aid practise and thinking...
Read the full article which appeared in the third issue of Australia's Viewpoint Magazine
Survey results show little appetite for major changes to the New Zealand tax system
Maxim Institute commissioned a UMR survey looking at various aspects of tax policy. The survey found little appetite for changes that are vital for our long-term wellbeing. The Government needs to commit to a rebalanced system -- and it needs to clearly explain the case to the electorate.
Read the Media Release
View the UMR polling on changes to New Zealand tax system
"Three Strikes" Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill
The Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill which would see a "three strikes" system of sentencing introduced in New Zealand, has just received its second reading in Parliament. Maxim Institute disagrees with the proposed policy.
Read Criminal injustice and the proposed "three strikes" law
Minimum Youth Wage Bill defeated
In the attempt to curb youth unemployment, Sir Roger Douglas submitted a Member's Bill to Parliament that would have allowed for youth minimum wages to be re-established. New Zealand had youth wages until 2008. The Bill was defeated in Parliament on 21 April.
Read a Maxim Institute article about youth minimum wages
