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Show Notes
Dr Matthew Birchall is a Research Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative.
The New Zealand Initiative is a policy think tank conducting independent research on a wide range of issues. They interface with policymakers across the political spectrum, the business community, media, academics, and the public.
Matthew wrote a report titled “Paving the Wave: Learning from New Zealand past to Build a Better Future.” The report explores how the country effectively tackled infrastructure projects in the past, and offers guidance on how the country can rediscover this talent.
Topics we look at include embracing private enterprise instead of big government, drawing upon local knowledge and needs to guide infrastructure projects, and the importance for New Zealander’s to rediscover the spirit of actually building things.
Along the way we discuss how these principles could be reactivated, and some of the challenges they may bring with them.
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Links:
Dr Matthew Birchall on the New Zealand Initiative - https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/about-us/our-people/matthew-birchall/
The New Zealand Initiative - https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/
Read "Paving the Way: Learning from New Zealand's Past to Build a Better Future" - https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/reports/paving-the-way-learning-from-new-zealands-past-to-build-a-better-future/
Infrastructure NZ - https://infrastructure.org.nz/
Te Waihanga, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission - https://tewaihanga.govt.nz/
"Think Big" New Zealand Infrastructure project from the early 1980s - https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/28163/think-big
The Road to Serfdom, Hayek - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/299215.The_Road_to_Serfdom
Stuff.co.nz debate "The Great New Zealand Infrastructure Debate: What will the next Government build and where will the buck stop?" - https://archive.ph/8D0lq
How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World's Most Dynamic Region, Joe Studwell - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16144575-how-asia-works
"Revolution" Television series, 1996 - https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/revolution-1996/series
The first state house in New Zealand at 12 Fife Lane, Miramar, Wellington (Correction: Built 1937) - https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/we-call-it-home/first-state-house
The Big Smoke, New Zealand Cities, 1840–1920, Ben Schrader - https://www.bwb.co.nz/books/big-smoke/
Report "Lifeline for Health: Meeting New Zealand’s need for General Practitioners" - https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/reports/lifeline-for-health-meeting-new-zealands-need-for-general-practitioners/
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