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Motu Research is a world-class, independent, public-good focused economics and public policy research institute. 

We help decision makers in Aotearoa New Zealand grapple with complex social, environmental and economic issues. 
Solutions for Freshwater Management

Urban water security: Assessing the impacts of metering and pricing in Aotearoa New Zealand

Authors: Julia Talbot-Jones | Thomas Benison

Working Paper

The use of water management tools, such as water metering and pricing, are likely to become increasingly important for addressing urban water security in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Individual and group outcomes

Expenditure patterns of New Zealand retiree households

Authors: Trinh Le | Euan Richardson

Working Paper

This research delves into expenditure patterns of retiree households in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Updates

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2024-11-25

Motu Research 2023-2024 Annual Report is now available

The Motu 2023-24 Annual Report is now available.

2024-11-07

Motu Research awarded two 2024 Marsden Fund grants

We’re thrilled to announce two of our talented researchers have been awarded prestigious Marsden Fund grants, paving the way for…

2024-10-21

Motu Research awards 2024 Sir Frank Holmes Prize - to Amelia Farrar

Motu Research is thrilled to announce Amelia Farrar has been awarded the prestigious Sir Frank Holmes Prize for 2024.

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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Public Policy Seminar

October 21, 2024

Progressing offshore mitigation for Aotearoa New Zealand

In October 2024, we held a public policy seminar on using offshore climate mitigation to help meet Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2030 target under the Paris Agreement. The seminar examined how Aotearoa New Zealand can work with other countries to accelerate global climate progress, by funding offshore mitigation to help meet its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement.

Recent events

November 27, 2024

34th Australia New Zealand Econometric Study Group Meeting (ANZESG)

On 14 February 2025, Motu Research, the Treasury and Reserve Bank of New Zealand are hosting the 2025 Australia New Zealand Econometrics Study Group meeting (ANZESG) in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

October 7, 2024

Urban Economic short courses coming soon

Motu Research is excited to announce that Senior Fellow Stuart Donovan is coordinating urban economics short courses in Auckland (7-9 October) and Christchurch (10-11 October).

August 7, 2023

Introducing 'A guide to just transitions for communities in Aotearoa NZ'

A guide to help communities confront the major disruptive challenges Aotearoa New Zealand is facing.

Featured work

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Auckland issues

Dispelling myths: Reviewing the evidence on zoning reforms in Auckland

Authors: Stuart Donovan | Matthew Maltman

Working Paper

In 2016, Auckland began to tackle its housing crisis by adopting zoning reforms that allowed for more housing on most of its urban land. The results? Housing supply increased, rents decreased, and tens of thousands…
Climate Teams: International Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Think globally, act cooperatively: Progressing offshore mitigation for Aotearoa New Zealand

Authors: Catherine Leining | Hannah Kotula | Sasha Maher

Note

This paper shows how Aotearoa New Zealand could work with other countries to accelerate global climate progress, by funding offshore mitigation to help meet its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement.

The world is…
Individual and group outcomes

Do New Zealand home equity release schemes provide value for money?

Authors: Trinh Le | Thomas Benison

Working Paper

Home equity release refers to financial products that allow people to access the equity that is tied up in their own homes. Home equity is a large part of household wealth in New Zealand, making…
Individual and group outcomes

The effect of income on New Zealand children's behaviour: The influence of maternal stress and children's screen use

Authors: Arthur Grimes | Kate Prickett (nee Chambers) | Jaimie Monk

Working Paper

Income’s role explored,
Kiwi kid’s behaviour studied
Stress, screens may hold keys

This paper explores how a family’s income affects the behavioural development of children.
Individual and group outcomes

Who can leave a partner who uses violence?

Authors: Isabelle Sin | Shannon Minehan

Working Paper

Drawing upon longitudinal data from the Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study, this research looks at the barriers to mothers leaving partners who use violence. The persistence of conflict or abuse experienced by mothers…
Housing

Distinctive neighbourhood housing patterns in Aotearoa New Zealand

Authors: Dave Maré | Hannah Kotula

Note

This research highlights distinct housing and demographic patterns in urban neighborhoods across Aotearoa New Zealand.Our goal is to identify locations in Aotearoa where racism and discrimination in housing markets may harm residents' socioeconomic outcomes.
Individual and group outcomes

Earnings bunching at benefit abatement thresholds: evidence from recent policy changes

Authors: Dave Maré | Dean Hyslop

Working Paper

Government income support policies face a balance between providing adequate income, maintaining work incentives, and managing fiscal costs to the government. Recent changes to abatement thresholds in Aotearoa New Zealand aim to improve support and…
Education and skills

Building on strengths: Educational pathways that benefit Māori students

Authors: Isabelle Sin | Shannon Minehan

Working Paper

An economic analysis of pathways through education leading to strong outcomes for Māori students, and how these differ by gender - and for students with different interests and aptitudes in high school. The authors focus…
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Level 1, 97 Cuba Street, PO Box 24390

Wellington 6142, New Zealand

Phone: 64 4 939 4250

Email: info@motu.org.nz