The collapse of the US administrative state is not just an American problem, it carries important lessons for Aotearoa New Zealand. As Washington grapples with political dysfunction and the erosion of public institutions, we should pay attention to how a weakened state apparatus invites economic instability, political turmoil, and diminished democratic control. For Aotearoa New…

Regulation is like plumbing. When it works, you don’t notice it. When it doesn’t, everything gets clogged, leaks, and starts to smell. The UK has decided to grab a wrench and fix the mess, while Aotearoa New Zealand is still standing around debating whether to call a plumber. The UK government has admitted its regulatory…

In December 2024, I was commissioned to write a short analysis for a local private sector client. With their permission, I’m now sharing it more broadly. The analysis itself remains unchanged from that original version, but the format has been adapted to speak to a wider audience. In comparing the challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand…

Australia’s Robodebt scandal has become something of a cautionary tale: and for good reason. I’ve just finished reading the commission of inquiry. It wasn’t just a case of a system gone wrong. It was a full-blown failure of politics, public service ethics and culture and basic decency. And for those of us in Aotearoa New…