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Motu Research is an independent, world-class economics and public policy institute working for the public good.

We help Aotearoa New Zealand tackle complex social, environmental and economic challenges. 
Economic performance

On quantitative and graphical measures of the severity of New Zealand’s recessions and strength of its expansions

Authors: Viv Hall | Dr John McDermott CRSNZ | Peter Thomson

Working Paper

This paper offers a clearer way to judge how the economy performs in booms and busts. When the economy grows or shrinks, we often focus on how long the phase lasts or how deep it…

Human rights

Sovereign Bond Investing and Human Rights: An Analysis of New Zealand’s Retail Investment Funds

Authors: Anne-Marie Brook | K. Chad Clay | Zoe Shepherd

Working Paper

This paper finds that as of March 2024, more than half a billion dollars of KiwiSaver and other retail investments were lent to governments on ‘high alert’ for human rights violations. This is a chance…

Updates

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2026-01-13

Motu Affiliate & ex-Research Analyst Livvy Mitchell graduates with PhD in Economics

Our Affiliate & ex-Research Analyst Livvy Mitchell recently graduated with a PhD in Economics from Auckland University of Technology.

2026-01-12

Nau mai, harae mai to our newest Research Fellow, Leon Stirk-Wang

Nau mai, harae mai / a big warm welcome to our newest Research Fellow, Leon Stirk-Wang.

2026-01-12

Our evaluation of Govt's Research & Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) shows positive impact on businesses

We have just released this paper evaluating the Govts Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) for business. 

Our Research

Environment

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Urban & regional

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Wellbeing & macro-economics

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Population & labour

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Human rights

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Productivity & innovation

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Recent Event

December 1, 2025

The housing/wellbeing connection: the role of public housing across the life course

This joint Motu Research/Home Foundation public policy seminar had Motu Fellow Jaimie Monk and Senior Fellow Arthur Grimes explore the relationship between public housing and wellbeing across different stages of life.

Other recent events

September 17, 2025

Urban Economics short courses: September & October

Motu Research's Senior Fellow Stuart Donovan ran urban economics short courses in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland in September/October.

May 28, 2025

Putting children at the centre: Using our knowledge of child development to give kiwi kids the best start to life

This seminar presented findings from Jaimie Monk's latest report, drawing on data from the Growing Up in New Zealand study to examine children’s behavioural development.

April 17, 2025

2026 international climate negotiations & recent developments in EU, USA & China climate change policies (plus an Aotearoa NZ perspective)

In April 2024, we had a public policy seminar on the 2026 international climate negotiations and recent developments in EU, USA and China climate change policies - plus a discussion of climate policies in Aotearoa…

Featured work

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Economic performance

On quantitative and graphical measures of the severity of New Zealand’s recessions and strength of its expansions

Authors: Viv Hall | Dr John McDermott CRSNZ | Peter Thomson

Working Paper

This paper offers a clearer way to judge how the economy performs in booms and busts. When the economy grows or shrinks, we often focus on how long the phase lasts or how deep it…
Individual and group outcomes

When parental aspirations aren’t enough: An exploration of the importance of parental aspirations in the socioeconomic gradient in child outcomes

Authors: Nic Watson | Isabelle Sin

Working Paper

This study explores how parents shape their children’s early learning and wellbeing — and where the biggest differences begin. Parental involvement — time spent reading, talking, and engaging in learning — consistently predicts early literacy…
Science and innovation policy

Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) Five-Year Evaluation

Authors: Tadhg Ryan-Charleton | Conor O’Kane | Dave Maré | Dean Hyslop | Amelia Blamey

Working Paper

This report is the first major piece of evidence about the impact of the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) and how well it is working. Motu Research lead the first five-year evaluation of the…
Human rights

Sovereign Bond Investing and Human Rights: An Analysis of New Zealand’s Retail Investment Funds

Authors: Anne-Marie Brook | K. Chad Clay | Zoe Shepherd

Working Paper

This paper finds that as of March 2024, more than half a billion dollars of KiwiSaver and other retail investments were lent to governments on ‘high alert’ for human rights violations. This is a chance…
Individual and group outcomes

Some notes on measuring pay gaps

Authors: Dave Maré | Lyn Brieseman

Note

The formula for measuring the gender pay gap is widely used and generates internationally comparable measures. It measures how much lower women’s pay is than men’s, as a proportion of men’s pay. The size of…
Individual and group outcomes

Firm productivity and ethnic wages

Authors: Dave Maré | Richard Fabling

Working Paper

This study looks at how fairly people from different ethnic and migrant backgrounds are paid for the value they create at work in Aotearoa New Zealand. We found wage patterns in Aotearoa are more favourable…
Well-being and sustainability measures

Impacts of macroeconomic policies on objective and subjective wellbeing: The role of housing tenure

Authors: Amelia Blamey | Arthur Grimes | Norman Gemmell

Working Paper

Between 2005 and 2021, house prices in Aotearoa New Zealand rose 142%, and that surge has deepened inequalities in people’s wellbeing. Homeowners gained; renters lost ground. When house prices rise, homeowners who own their homes…
Individual and group outcomes

Firms and ethnic wage differences

Authors: Dave Maré | Richard Fabling

Working Paper

This paper looks at how much the workplaces people are employed in explain the pay gaps between ethnic groups in Aotearoa New Zealand. The study finds the firms people work for explain only a very…
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Wellington 6142, Aotearoa New Zealand

 

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Phone: 04 939 4250

Email: info@motu.org.nz