John McLean: Initiative Lacking On Maori Seats

The New Zealand Initiative prostrates itself to a Māorified Parliament

On its website The New Zealand Initiative claims, “We are the organisation to sketch pathways towards a better future”.

In October 2025, NZ Initiative sketched out its recommendations for reforms to New Zealand’s ‘mixed-member proportional’ (MMP) electoral system. NZ Initiative’s report, MMP AFTER 30 YEARS Time for Electoral Reform?, was authored by NZ Initiative’s Nick Clark. Insomniacs can read the report here:

Mike's Minute: More MP's? What on Earth are they thinking?

For a group that normally seems to nail ideas and present them well, the New Zealand Initiative this week went off-piste with their "MMP After 30 Years" report.

Smaller cabinet - good idea.

Get rid of the overhang - good idea!

But more MP's? What on Earth are they thinking?

David Farrar: A blueprint for better Government

The NZ Initiative has put out a great report proposing a much more efficient structure for both Cabinet and the wider Executive.

NZ currently has 81 ministerial portfolios, 28 ministers and 43 executive agencies. By comparison Ireland has 15 Ministers and 18 departments.

The Initiative propose a Cabinet of 15 Ministers, being:

David Farrar: Good suggestions on fast tracked consenting

The NZ Initiative has some good suggestions around the Govt's fast track consenting law: