Maxim Institute

31 million dollars of your hard-earned tax money down the… drain?

The report on New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) technology update reveals a confusing lack of progress, budget blowouts, and a removal of anyone who questioned the project.

What's really going on?

We unpack the stories making headlines this week on The Select Committee, your weekly politics wrap. 🎙️

🔗 Link in comments below.

‼️ It’s YOUR money ‼️

The $31 million public-sector blowout! A shock media appointment. And the accountants' knives are out as election year approaches.

We unpack the stories making headlines this week on The Select Committee, your weekly politics wrap. 🎙️

🔗 Link in comments.

Should AI be making welfare decisions for us!?

We explore all this and more on this week’s episode of the Select Committee, your weekly politics wrap!

🔗 Link in comments to the full episode.

Should the government be investing in our super rugby team!? Is it worth the money?

We explore all this and more on this week’s episode of the Select Committee, your weekly politics wrap!

🔗 Link in comments for the full episode.

Maxim Institute has a new report out today.

Algorithmic Government argues that New Zealand should embrace the benefits of AI to strengthen public-sector capability, improve productivity, and deliver better services—but only within clear limits on its use.

Efficiency matters, but it is not the only measure of good government. AI use in the public sector must remain bounded by public accountability, constitutional norms, and human judgement.

Read the report: https://www.maxim.org.nz/article/algorithmic-government/

Who else learnt the recorder in primary school?? 🪈

With the Government announcing $5.6 million in Budget 2026 for musical instruments in primary schools, where do you think that funding should go?

We explore all this and more on this week’s episode of the Select Committee, your weekly politics wrap!

🔗 Link in comments.

This year's budget—did NZ win or lose!?📈

Nicola Willis dropped the 2026 Budget yesterday and in this Select Committee podcast, we unpack what that means for you and your community.

We also dive into the climate-change litigation involving Fonterra and ask a bigger question: when Parliament and the courts pull in different directions, who ultimately gets the final say?

Link in comments for the full episode ⬇️

Australia’s social media ban… Did it work?? 🇦🇺

And what's your definition of "working"?

We explore all this and more on The Select Committee, your weekly politics wrap. We go beyond the headlines to explain the stories that matter, and the ones that don’t.

🔗 Link in comments for the full episode.

How do you buy a bank that isn’t for sale?

Winston Peters wants New Zealand to buy back BNZ, but when it’s not yet on the market—you have to wonder: is this serious policy, economic nostalgia, or proof campaign season has officially begun?

What do you think?

🎧 Listen to The Select Committee, your weekly politics wrap. We go beyond the headlines to explain the stories that matter — and the ones that don’t.

🔗 Link in comments for the full episode.