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A Geography Lesson
With a Chinese naval fleet undertaking live firing in the Tasman Sea, former head of New Zealand’s security bureau Ian Fletcher explains...
Ian Fletcher
Mar 45 min read


Public Service
Former top bureaucrat Ian Fletcher examines the various types of public service in NZ, and identifies where improvements need to be made...
Ian Fletcher
Feb 14 min read


NZ’s Doom Loop – Does Anyone Care Enough to Change?
I’ve written several times about productivity, which I (as many others) see as the central challenge facing the New Zealand economy...
Ian Fletcher
Jan 14 min read


Trump Card
Will the Trump Restoration make any difference to New Zealand’s place in the world? How will it shape our domestic politics and debate?...
Ian Fletcher
Dec 1, 20244 min read


Treaty Principles
What does Ian Fletcher make of the ACT Party's Treat Principles Bill? Find out in his Views from Outside the Apiary...
Ian Fletcher
Nov 2, 20244 min read


Local Government Finance
There’s a lot to ‘sort out’ with local government at present, but Ian Fletcher takes his best shot – first diagnosing their ailment...
Ian Fletcher
Oct 1, 20244 min read


 Electricity Prices
Higher electricity prices ... What should we think? Could they be a good thing ponders Ian Fletcher...
Ian Fletcher
Sep 1, 20244 min read


How Hard is it to Run a Health System?
Former head of several national and state departments, Ian Fletcher explores a pressing national issue – the health system and the govt...
Ian Fletcher
Aug 2, 20244 min read


Infrastructure – Systematic thinking about Systems
It’s been a month where infrastructure has looked fragile. The ferry grounding (and the previous decision to cancel the replacements)...
Ian Fletcher
Jul 1, 20244 min read


We Have No Money, So We Shall Have to Think Instead
With New Zealand's books in the red, and a global economy throwing up serious challenges, Ian Fletcher puts on his thinking cap...
Ian Fletcher
Jun 2, 20244 min read


What Might Really Make a Difference?
Health, crime, education, housing, productivity. It’s a familiar list of things that just seem like they won’t get better no matter who’s...
Ian Fletcher
May 1, 20244 min read


Productivity and Plans
We recently saw the end of the new Government’s first hundred days’ plan. At the same time, the quarterly GDP figures were published...
Ian Fletcher
Mar 29, 20244 min read


Resilience Lite
It's just a matter of time before New Zealand is struck by another catastrophic event, but are we prepared?
Ian Fletcher
Mar 2, 20244 min read


An Independent Foreign Policy?
I’ve been struck by the response to the deployment of six (yes, just six) NZDF people to the Middle East, to ‘help’ in the response to...
Ian Fletcher
Feb 3, 20244 min read


Productivity – The Hardest Topic of All
How can New Zealand arrest its falling productivity and be the best it can be? It's not an easy question to answer but Ian Fletcher has...
Ian Fletcher
Dec 31, 20234 min read


Foreign Affairs
This week has seen two events of notable significance. The first was the publication of the new Government’s 100-day plan, the second...
Ian Fletcher
Dec 1, 20235 min read


I’m the Prime Minister! What Could Go Wrong?
Here’s the brief that Christopher Luxon ought to be getting as he prepares to become Prime Minister...
Ian Fletcher
Nov 1, 20234 min read

The Withering Away of the State
The public service has been a key talking point for political parties. Ian Fletcher calls on his experience heading departments to weigh in.
Ian Fletcher
Oct 1, 20234 min read


China – a Warning
China matters to New Zealand but, as a market place for our products, it is faltering. We need a plan to respond, warns Ian Fletcher...
Ian Fletcher
Sep 1, 20234 min read

What Should Keep Voters Awake?
With the election looming, Ian Fletcher sets out some of the big issues voters should be thinking about...
Ian Fletcher
Aug 1, 20234 min read
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