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

We help Aotearoa New Zealand tackle complex social, environmental & 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…

Firm performance and labour dynamics

Public Sector Pay in NZ

Authors: Dave Maré | Dean Hyslop | Lyn Brieseman

Working Paper

Official statistics show average pay in New Zealand's public sector is 25% higher than in the private sector. That figure is widely quoted and widely misunderstood. This research shows the raw comparison is misleading, because…

Updates

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2026-07-06

Arthur Grimes has been awarded the New Zealand Association of Economics Distinguished Fellow Award

In a mark of recognition for a career dedicated to supporting better outcomes for communities, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of…

2026-04-30

A 2026 update to our Guide to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme

We have released our 2026 edition of A Guide to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, updating the 2022 version of…

2026-04-10

Appealing to altruism alone won’t spark climate cooperation. New research examines what might work instead

Wealthy countries aren’t doing nearly enough to fund climate mitigation in the developing world – and a big part of…

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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Firm performance and labour dynamics

Public Sector Pay in NZ

Authors: Dave Maré | Dean Hyslop | Lyn Brieseman

Working Paper

Official statistics show average pay in New Zealand's public sector is 25% higher than in the private sector. That figure is widely quoted and widely misunderstood. This research shows the raw comparison is misleading, because…
International engagement, exports, and innovation

Qantas Airways and American Airlines Joint Business Agreement: Independent Economic and Competition Analysis

Authors: Stuart Donovan | Leon Stirk-Wang | Tadhg Ryan-Charleton

Publication

Following the introduction of the Civil Aviation Act 2023, the Ministry of Transport developed an assessment framework to improve the transparency and robustness of the process for authorising airline alliances. The Ministry then engaged Motu…
International engagement, exports, and innovation

Air New Zealand and Air China Strategic Alliance: Independent Economic and Competition Analysis

Authors: Tadhg Ryan-Charleton | Stuart Donovan | Leon Stirk-Wang

Publication

Following the introduction of the Civil Aviation Act 2023, the Ministry of Transport developed an assessment framework to improve the transparency and robustness of the process for authorising airline alliances. The Ministry engaged Motu researchers…
Well-being and sustainability measures

Research review on the effectiveness of youth and rangatahi mental health early intervention and secondary prevention approaches

Author: Kate Prickett

Working Paper

Adolescence and young adulthood are sensitive periods for the development of mental distress, and timely support can prevent early signs of distress from escalating.
 
This review examines the effectiveness of early intervention and secondary prevention approaches…
Well-being and sustainability measures

Shared care arrangements and parental wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand

Author: Kate Prickett

Working Paper

When couples separate, shared care arrangements are typically measured by how parenting time is divided — but the sharing of resources, tasks, and informal support matters too. This study examines how in-kind support within shared…
Climate Teams: International Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Shifting narratives on funding mitigation abroad: Insights from an international dialogue

Authors: Catherine Leining | Sasha Maher | Lucy Peake | Alessia Casamassima | Albert Ferrari | Lea Heinrich | Simone Borghesi

Working Paper

The stories we tell
About helping each other
Drive climate action
Individual and group outcomes

Uneven vaccine uptake across industries

Author: Richard Fabling

Working Paper

Vaccine adoption
slow in worst hit industries?
Duh! It’s the workers
Individual and group outcomes

Employment effects of vaccine mandate defiance

Author: Richard Fabling

Working Paper

Thou shalt vaccinate
came the command from above.
Defiers suffer
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Level 1, 97 Cuba Street, PO Box 24390

Wellington 6142, Aotearoa New Zealand

 

Media enquires: 021 837 966

Phone: 04 939 4250

Email: info@motu.org.nz