NZ's cannabis referendum 2020: Some facts and recommendations about the process of cannabis legalisation
April 30, 2020
A referendum this year will ask the public whether they support legalising the use of cannabis, accompanied by regulation, education and taxation. We recommended a similar approach in 2016, after concluding that prohibition of cannabis in New Zealand has been an expensive and failed a … Read more
Pandemic uncertainty: NZIER points to key planning issues - NZIER Insight 85
April 17, 2020
New Zealand is approaching the end of the planned four-week lockdown which has brought about significant economic losses and, it appears, significant benefits in the form of lives saved. As the country now looks toward a relaxing of the COVID-19 Alert level and an uncertain future, we … Read more
Sustainable midwifery : Supporting improved wellbeing and greater equity
March 5, 2020
NZIER report to New Zealand College of Midwives. Read more
New Zealand's pandemic response: Best practice or just a practice run? NZIER Insight 84
February 20, 2020
Using evidence from health and economic literature, health economists Sarah Hogan and Todd Krieble find that New Zealand should do more to prepare for pandemics and assist the Pacific Islands. New Zealand should not rely on travel bans which are likely to be ineffective. Read more
Good regulatory design : Assessing the regulatory options for the Pharmacy Council and Medicines Control
May 6, 2019
A report for the Pharmacy Council. Read more
Community pharmaceuticals : Expenditure trends
January 14, 2019
NZIER report to Medicines New Zealand. Read more
Pharmac economic analysis and savings claims
October 19, 2018
In the 2017 financial year, PHARMAC claims to have achieved $52 million in savings for New Zealand. PHARMAC further claims that between 2005 and 2016, it saved the District Health Boards nearly $6 billion. Read more
Sugar taxes : a review of the evidence
January 30, 2018
A report for the Ministry of Health. Read more
Making early intervention work - NZIER Insight 75
November 2, 2017
It's out with the old and in with the new. National's Social Investment approach is being replaced with a focus on Early Intervention. But the new government's focus should be on using evidence to support timely, if not always early, intervention. The health sector's experience with s … Read more
Is it finally time to reduce the number of district health boards? NZIER Insight 69
May 11, 2017
New Zealand has 20 district health boards (DHBs) for a population of less than 5 million. Because of a lack of transparency, we do not know the costs of administering DHBs. But prima facie evidence suggests it is time to consolidate DHBs and free up administrative resources to use for … Read more