Maxim Institute Podcast
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The Maxim Institute Podcast is a chance for you to be a part of the conversations our team have as we do research and analysis of politics and policy in New Zealand. From behind the scenes chats about our research, to in depth discussion with our event speakers and experts from New Zealand and around the world, these podcasts will dig in to the deeper ideas that shape the way we live together.
141 Episodes
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As New Zealand grows more secular, religious freedom risks erosion even as it remains crucial. Research Fellow Marcus Roberts argues it's a cornerstone of democracy, protecting everyone's right to express their beliefs and preventing government overreach.
In a world obsessed with ‘being authentic,’ what if the real you isn’t all that great? This week, Executive Director Tim Wilson explores this very idea in his column A Defence of Inauthenticity. From the Polkinghorne trial to the pressure of social media’s ‘real self’ narrative, Tim makes a bold case for why sometimes being a little unreal might actually be better—for you and society. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will challenge everything you’ve been told about authenticity and the mantra of ‘you do you.’
Smartphones frequently provide content without context, leaving Gen Z vulnerable to misinformation. Former intern (and Gen Zer) Alexandra Lay explains how cultivating the habit of reading books can counteract groupthink and foster thoughtful reflection in an era where social belonging outweighs truth.
Read the column on Substack.
Executive Director Tim Wilson chats with Professor Nicholas Aroney on New Zealand’s choice to stay out of the Australian Federation and the cultural, political, and geopolitical forces that have shaped the ANZAC bond.
Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour exposes a glaring contradiction in New Zealand's welfare reform strategy: while championing "Social Investment" as a data-driven approach to break cycles of disadvantage, the government overlooks superannuation, which amounts $23.2 billion annually—almost equal to the cost of all other welfare programmes combined.
Forget the yellow submarine—we’re a lever-pull away from cancellation living in today’s red chair society. In this week’s column, Researcher Maryanne Spurdle draws a clever parallel between a playful segment on The Graham Norton Show and alarming displays of intolerance in society. She urges a change in approach, advocating for a return to honest debate where dissenting voices are considered.
Read the column on our website.
As the Government prepares to introduce new gene technology legislation, Dr Stephanie Worboys warns that we may open a Pandora's Box.
She raises critical concerns about the unintended consequences of gene technology, from off-target DNA effects to ecological damage and moral dilemmas.
With New Zealand on the brink of significant legislative changes, Stephanie offers a well-informed cautionary perspective, emphasising the need for careful consideration before we open the door to this powerful technology.
New Zealand’s energy crisis is more than just rising power costs—it's a glaring signal of our vulnerability in an unstable world. Our reliance on imported energy has gone from luxury to liability in a changing global world.
New Zealand's healthcare system is on life support as staff shortages and patient wait times worsen. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown examines the urgent need for ambitious, sustainable reform with a long-term vision. Decades of tinkering have landed us here. We need more than bureaucratic band-aids to heal our ailing system.
Read the column on our website.
The Olympics has been mired in controversy with the "satire" of the Last Supper at the opening ceremony. Executive Director Tim Wilson explains how a "Conspiracy Theory Conspiracy Theory" developed and what it tells us about our cultural elites.
Read the column on our website.
Countries with greater school choice are outperforming New Zealand. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle explains how charter schools can actually benefit public schools instead of holding them back. She demonstrates how our overloaded public education system can improve through increased school choice, and how greater accountability and independence have led to higher satisfaction ratings with schools internationally.
Read the column on our website.
Memento mori! (Thou art mortal!) Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour reminds policymakers that fundamental truths about reality cannot be reshaped through wishful thinking. Prices convey information, and money represents trust—these are axiomatic principles that leaders must keep in mind when making decisions.
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
What makes a Kiwi? Is it birthplace, years spent here, or something else? Communications Manager Jason Heale asks these questions in light of Tennis New Zealand’s move to persuade Lulu Sun to play under our flag. When it comes to national identity, he says we should focus more on character and a person's genuine affinity for our country, rather than seeking vicarious validation through their international achievements or status.
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
The term "populist" is often ambiguously deployed and misunderstood. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown clarifies what it means and highlights some pitfalls we should avoid. When it comes to preserving our political system, he argues that we should all be populists.
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
What's your handwriting like? Executive Director Tim Wilson describes his as “loops, smears, and burnouts” that desecrate a page. Yet, he supports making handwriting compulsory in the curriculum, as suggested by a Ministerial Advisory Group. Tim argues it's time to reconnect our bodies to our thoughts. In a world of Chromebooks and chatbots, can the pen prove mightier than the keyboard?
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
No parent in their right mind would give their child a harmful substance, yet many readily hand over smartphones. Madeleine Smith, a former intern, delves into the alarming rise in adolescent anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts linked to early device use. She argues that government intervention is needed to support parents in protecting the mental health of their children by restricting smartphone access.
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
Two narratives about education are battling in the public square: one side claims public education is threatened by independent schools, while the other argues for reforming an outdated system. Researcher Maryanne Spurdle highlights the compelling benefits of a diverse educational ecosystem, pointing to substantial international evidence supporting school choice.
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
Is there a lesson for the National Party in the demise of the UK Tories? Researcher Thomas Scrimgeour suggests that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon must carefully consider whether to lead as a "moderate" or a "reformer". National may find themselves without many fans if Luxon fails to cast a vision more comprehensive than simply getting the country "back on track”.
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
As global tensions escalate, Communications Manager Jason Heale advocates for compulsory military service in New Zealand. He argues that this initiative would bolster national defence readiness, encourage social unity, and drive economic development.
Read the column on our website and watch the video podcast on YouTube.
Auckland CBD is experiencing an exodus, with businesses fleeing and retail offences soaring. Communications Coordinator Josiah Brown warns against tunnel vision when addressing our crime problem, advocating for a more comprehensive approach. He emphasises the need to repair broken families and strengthen community structures for effective reintegration and long-term crime prevention.
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