NCEA is being scrapped. What comes next could transform New Zealand schools. Education experts Dr Michael Johnston and Stephanie Martin unpack what went wrong, from fragmented learning and grade inflation to inconsistent grading and weak vocational pathways. They explore how a knowledge-rich curriculum might lift achievement and how schools can prepare young people for a future reshaped by AI—one that values both academic and vocational pathways.
What does it mean to die with dignity? And how does the legalisation of euthanasia shape the way we value life, suffering, and care? In this episode of the Maxim Institute Podcast, Research Manager Maryanne Spurdle speaks with Canadian writer and educator Amanda Achtman. A former political adviser, Amanda has worked on the front lines of Canada’s euthanasia debate and founded Dying to Meet You, a project exploring death, culture, and hope.
Together they look at Canada’s expanding euthanasia laws, the danger of normalising assisted suicide, and the ripple effects on vulnerable people and their families. Drawing on stories from those facing end-of-life struggles, Amanda reflects on humour, love, and the true meaning of dignity.
Canada has become “the euthanasia capital of the world,” according to Amanda Achtman. Since legalising assisted death in 2016 and expanding access in 2021, what began as an exception with supposed safeguards has quickly become routine, now accounting for around 5% of Canadian deaths.
In this episode, Research Manager Maryanne Spurdle speaks with Canadian writer and advocate Amanda Achtman about how those changes unfolded and what they mean for New Zealand as Parliament considers similar reforms. Together they explore the risks of eroding safeguards, the impact on people with disabilities and the elderly, the pressure placed on health workers, and the danger of normalising assisted death in hospitals, hospices, and care homes.
Amanda also shares stories that reveal the cultural cost of making euthanasia commonplace, and highlights why palliative care and genuine support are essential.
Distrust in New Zealand isn't just growing—it's curdling into grievance.
Executive Director Tim Wilson unpacks alarming new data showing Kiwis now distrust every institution—government, media, even business—more than ever before. He asks whether there are times when distrust can actually be useful.
Read the column on Substack.
She used to believe churches should pay taxes. But after over a decade of research, atheist law professor Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts has had a change of heart. Listen to the podcast to discover why.
Read the column on Substack.
Jenga towers aren’t just a game—they’re a reality in our public sector.
Researcher Maryanne Spurdle examines how government departments keep stacking bureaucrats at the top while disconnecting from the front lines—leaving critical services unstable and ready to collapse.
From a $1 billion health system deficit to a teacher shortage the Ministry of Education didn’t see coming, the warning signs are clear: when public institutions exist to sustain themselves rather than serve the people, we all lose.
Read the column on Substack.
Is the school lunch programme feeding more than just kids?
Communications Manager Jason Heale examines how free school meals reflect a deeper shift—from self-reliance to state dependence. When government takes over, what happens to families and communities?
Read the column on Substack.
We fooled ourselves into thinking the rules-based order had replaced great-power politics. It hasn’t.
Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour examines why last week’s Chinese naval exercises should be a wake-up call for New Zealand—because wishful thinking won’t protect our trade routes.
Read the column on Substack.
A recent IPCA review calls for more police power and better training after failures to protect free speech at the Posie Parker Let Women Speak event.
Executive Director Tim Wilson explores the growing threat of the “thug’s veto” in the wake of Destiny Church’s counter-protest at Te Atatū Peninsula Library—what it means for policing, protest rights, and the future of free speech.
Read the column on Substack.
New Zealand’s public services are struggling, and political bickering isn’t helping. But are we really as divided as we seem?
Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown examines how constructive debate, common ground, and a commitment to truth can help us rebuild—if we’re willing to engage with humility.
Read the column on Substack.
Are we about to repeat history’s mistakes? Researcher Maryanne Spurdle unpacks the potential dangers of New Zealand’s Gene Technology Bill and calls for greater transparency, accountability, and safety.
Just a few years ago, President Trump wanted to ban TikTok in the US—recently, he moved to save it.
Communications Manager Jason Heale reveals how social media shapes what you see, what it collects about you, and how you can take back control of your data.
Feeling “busy” is the norm during the holidays, but what if it’s more than just a seasonal rush? Executive Director Tim Wilson encourages us to reconsider our culture’s obsession with busyness, arguing that it’s eroding our well-being and happiness. This Christmas, take a step back from the frenzy and rediscover the value of true leisure.
Would you buy something without knowing what it is, with a price tag of “TBD?” Well, you have—or rather, the government did—at COP29 using your money.
Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown unpacks the $300 billion annual pledge to help poorer countries combat climate change and asks whether international climate finance, in its murky state, is really in a position to deliver meaningful aid.
Labour’s election defeat autopsy is over, taking place behind closed doors away from the nosy public. Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour says their annual conference in Christchurch signals a return to “bread and butter issues.”
Will their change of focus be enough to win back voters? Or are they destined to remain in the political wilderness?
While New Zealand's attention was focused on the hikoi to Parliament, the Ministry of Health quietly released its mandatory review of the 2021 euthanasia legislation.
Researcher Maryanne Spurdle reveals concerning recommendations that, if implemented, could undermine patient safety and conscience rights. Given the potential breaches that may have already resulted in wrongful deaths under the current law, policymakers must exercise caution to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
Social media poses real risks for young people, but are government bans like Australia's the answer? Communications Manager Jason Heale argues that empowering parents with knowledge and tools is the key to protecting kids online.
Taylor Swift recently endorsed Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris, generating significant media attention and support in the polls. Executive Director Tim Wilson observes that despite Swift's influence, young voters appear to remain sceptical of celebrity endorsements, as shown by Harris's disappointing performance among the 18-29 age group.
As the landscape of political endorsements evolves, who will emerge as the new voice of credibility?
American elections seem more of a spectator sport than politics—especially in New Zealand. Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour asks whether any real change is coming for us here or if America will keep rocking back and forth much as it always has.
New Zealand is witnessing an exodus of young people seeking better opportunities abroad, driven by a cost-of-living crisis, stagnant wages, and a housing shortage. Researcher Dr Stephanie Worboys observes that this trend reflects a breakdown in the intergenerational contract and urges policymakers to address these pressing issues to ensure a secure future for all generations.
