Maxim Institute Podcast

New Zealand’s energy crisis is more than just rising power costs—it's a glaring signal of our vulnerability in an unstable world. Our reliance on imported energy has gone from luxury to liability in a changing global world.

New Zealand's healthcare system is on life support as staff shortages and patient wait times worsen. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown examines the urgent need for ambitious, sustainable reform with a long-term vision. Decades of tinkering have landed us here. We need more than bureaucratic band-aids to heal our ailing system. Read the column on our website.

The Olympics has been mired in controversy with the "satire" of the Last Supper at the opening ceremony. Executive Director Tim Wilson explains how a "Conspiracy Theory Conspiracy Theory" developed and what it tells us about our cultural elites. Read⁠ the column on our website.

Countries with greater school choice are outperforming New Zealand. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle explains how charter schools can actually benefit public schools instead of holding them back. She demonstrates how our overloaded public education system can improve through increased school choice, and how greater accountability and independence have led to higher satisfaction ratings with schools int...

Memento mori! (Thou art mortal!) Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour reminds policymakers that fundamental truths about reality cannot be reshaped through wishful thinking. Prices convey information, and money represents trust—these are axiomatic principles that leaders must keep in mind when making decisions. ⁠⁠ Read⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the column on our website and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ watch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the video podcast on YouTube.

What makes a Kiwi? Is it birthplace, years spent here, or something else? Communications Manager Jason Heale asks these questions in light of Tennis New Zealand’s move to persuade Lulu Sun to play under our flag. When it comes to national identity, he says we should focus more on character and a person's genuine affinity for our country, rather than seeking vicarious validation through their i...

The term "populist" is often ambiguously deployed and misunderstood. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown clarifies what it means and highlights some pitfalls we should avoid. When it comes to preserving our political system, he argues that we should all be populists. Read⁠⁠⁠⁠ the column on our website and ⁠⁠⁠⁠ watch⁠⁠⁠⁠ the video podcast on YouTube.

What's your handwriting like? Executive Director Tim Wilson describes his as “loops, smears, and burnouts” that desecrate a page. Yet, he supports making handwriting compulsory in the curriculum, as suggested by a Ministerial Advisory Group. Tim argues it's time to reconnect our bodies to our thoughts. In a world of Chromebooks and chatbots, can the pen prove mightier than the keyboard? ⁠...

No parent in their right mind would give their child a harmful substance, yet many readily hand over smartphones. Madeleine Smith, a former intern, delves into the alarming rise in adolescent anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts linked to early device use. She argues that government intervention is needed to support parents in protecting the mental health of their children by restricting sma...

Two narratives about education are battling in the public square: one side claims public education is threatened by independent schools, while the other argues for reforming an outdated system. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle highlights the compelling benefits of a diverse educational ecosystem, pointing to substantial international evidence supporting school choice. Read⁠⁠ the column on our website a...

Is there a lesson for the National Party in the demise of the UK Tories? Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour suggests that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon must carefully consider whether to lead as a "moderate" or a "reformer". National may find themselves without many fans if Luxon fails to cast a vision more comprehensive than simply getting the country "back on track”. Read⁠...

As global tensions escalate, Communications Manager Jason Heale advocates for compulsory military service in New Zealand. He argues that this initiative would bolster national defence readiness, encourage social unity, and drive economic development. Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.

Auckland CBD is experiencing an exodus, with businesses fleeing and retail offences soaring. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown warns against tunnel vision when addressing our crime problem, advocating for a more comprehensive approach. He emphasises the need to repair broken families and strengthen community structures for effective reintegration and long-term crime prevention.

Executive Director Tim Wilson analyses the deceptive tactic of "squid ink," which is used to blur facts and manipulate debates, often employed by vested interests to their own advantage. Using the recent controversy between universities and the Education Review Office as a case study, he demonstrates how "ink" is used to defend institutional turf and offers a practical framewor...

Freedom of speech is vital for a healthy society, but it's under threat. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle examines recent incidents where free speech was stifled and makes the compelling case that respectful engagement with ideas - even those we disagree with - is necessary to avoid intellectual wastelands that hinder the pursuit of truth.

Trust in New Zealand’s political system is plummeting, with statistics revealing low public engagement and a majority belief that Parliament is not representative. Researcher Dr Stephanie Worboys says we can rebuild trust by limiting the use of urgency to pass laws and finding representatives who advocate for what matters to us.

Anzac Day commemorates the tragic Gallipoli campaign and the sacrifice of service personnel who gave their lives for our country. Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour examines Anzac as a vehicle for national reflection; one that prompts us to consider our history, national identity, and what we would sacrifice for it.

New Zealand’s “number 8 wire mentality” may be a strength, but our reactive, short-term approaches to immigration reveal a glaring deficiency in national planning. Director of Research and Development Marcus Roberts says it's time we plan for the future and our country’s long-term needs by asking the right questions.

Should MPs get a pay increase? Their base salary is already $163,961 per annum. Is their role like any other job, or something more? Communications Manager Jason Heale tackles these questions and wonders if a pay rise risks disconnecting MPs from the citizens they serve.

China's vehement denials and defensive stance regarding revelations of state-sponsored hacking present an interesting parallel to recent political rhetoric. Executive Director Tim Wilson says politicians need to cut the bluster and return to honest, substantive dialogue.

What happens when the moral values of government conflict with those of its citizens? Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown compares recent rainbow crossing vandalism to similar protest actions and asks whether pride crossings installed at public expense are consistent with New Zealand's secular principles. He reflects on the question of how we can uphold our values while respecting the view...

Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s time in politics has come to an end, prompting reflection on the previous government and their legacy as New Zealand faces the reality of debt, recession, and the need for spending cuts to public services. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle says the current government faces two choices: put national services on a strict diet or continue unsustainable spending tha...

Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour explores the quest for political immortality through housing policies in New Zealand. From Labour's sweeping Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) to National's more council-focused, incentives-based approach, he examines the rival visions and strategies to create an enduring legacy.

In this fascinating episode of the Maxim Institute podcast, we explore the alarming decline in New Zealand's education standards, with over 40% of students failing recent NCEA writing and math tests. Special guests Dr Melissa Derby, Stephanie Martin, and Maryanne Spurdle examine root causes like inadequate teacher training, ideological conflicts in classrooms, and sidelined practical teaching...

New Zealand is among the majority of countries worldwide experiencing declining fertility rates. Marcus Roberts, Director of Research and Development, warns that urgent preparation is needed for impending economic and societal challenges and a future where funerals outnumber births.