Assaulting the evidence, adieu Kevin Jenkins and more ...

Assaulting the evidence, adieu Kevin Jenkins and more ...
(Image: Getty)
Jem Traylen
An assault on evidence?The new government’s coalition agreements proudly proclaimed that one of its “ongoing decision-making principles” would be to base decisions “on data and evidence, with programmes regularly assessed to see if they are delivering results”.But whether it was the banning of cellphones in schools, the repeal of smoke-free laws or the reincarnation of boot camps (the idea has had multiple rebirths), it faced repeated accusations that its policies fly in the face of evidence.Now, we are seeing the...

More Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs
Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs

Fee-free open banking and levies may deter banks from innovating with new tech.

Andy Macdonald 17 Oct 2025
Government to set up single science funding body
Policy

Government to set up single science funding body

Research Funding NZ will replace at least three existing funding bodies.

Staff reporters 14 Oct 2025
Reserve Bank to ease mortgage loan-to-value ratios
Economy

Reserve Bank to ease mortgage loan-to-value ratios

The bank is relaxing LVR settings from the start of December.

Rebecca Howard 14 Oct 2025
LNG imports: Watts open-minded on scale
Policy

LNG imports: Watts open-minded on scale

Energy sector analysts fear a "small, cheap" option will push up the LNG price NZ pays.

Pattrick Smellie 09 Oct 2025