We are a non-partisan think tank applying hindsight, insight and foresight to explore major challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand over the long term.
We are committed to positively influencing public policy by empowering New Zealanders to have the uncomfortable, but necessary, conversations that are required to enable New Zealand to realise its potential.
Exploring the role of aquaculture in our marine space
OneOceanNZ
You may be aware that we have a ClimateChangeNZ project, a PublicScienceNZ project and a OneOceanNZ project. We are also interested in using infographics to illustrate complex issues. Although this discussion paper sits within Project OneOceanNZ, it aims to conceptualise the scale and significance of aquaculture management from a range of different perspectives – such as science, climate risks and biodiversity. This version is presented as ‘final draft’, but we are always open to learning more. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any feedback.
We would like to especially thank the team at Marlborough District Council for answering our many questions. We also appreciate the support and feedback from the Guardians of the Sounds, Kenepuru & Central Sounds Residents Association (or KCSRA), and Clova Bay Residents’ Association (CBRA), and the many other NGO’s that have helped us bring this information together. See OneOceanNZ page for more information.
Discussion Paper 2023/04: Exploring the role of aquaculture in our marine space
Foresight tools booklet
ForesightNZ
Foresight tools help us brainstorm ideas about the future so we are better prepared for the opportunities and challenges that may arise. It provides the ability to forward engage, interacting early before issues become difficult to manage.
This booklet – the first of three in the series – outlines 20 foresight tools to throw into the mix, while you walk forward into the future.
Available for purchase for $15.00 through our online store.
Recent publications
The Institute is delighted to present two papers authored by our summer interns, Helena Palmer and Bill Gray. Both of these papers are published as final drafts. Feedback is welcome, so if you have any comments or questions please send them through to enquiries@mcguinnessinstitute.org.
Working Paper 2023/03 – Appearances of the Treaty/te Tiriti in New Zealand Legislation
Working Paper 2023/03 – Appearances of the Treaty/te Tiriti in New Zealand Legislation
Researcher: Helena Palmer
Download (PDF, 858 KB)
Figure 1 from Working Paper 2023/03 – Appearances of the Treaty/te Tiriti in New Zealand Legislation illustrates the various types of appearances of the term Treaty/te Tiriti in New Zealand Legislation – by the numbers.
Discussion Paper 2023/03 –National and International Comparisons of Codes of Conduct for Members of Parliament
Discussion Paper 2023/03 –National and International Comparisons of Codes of Conduct for Members of Parliament
Researcher: Bill Gray
Download (PDF, 1 MB)
Figure 1 from Discussion Paper 2023/03 –National and International Comparisons of Codes of Conduct for Members of Parliament illustrates the various Codes of Conduct that currently exist in Parliament, the different groups of people they apply to, and under what circumstances.
Latest blogs
How to sharpen your political nous in government, with Sally Washington
The Institute was pleased to host Sally Washington on Thursday 31 August for the fourth session of our Bursting Bubbles series. Sally’s presentation aimed to demystify and contextualise political nous and relationships at the administrative political interface. Read the full blog post.
Top Ten Public Policy Lessons from Bhutan
In April 2023, two of us from the Institute were fortunate enough to travel to Bhutan, a small kingdom gently tucked far away in the Eastern Himalayas. Read the full blog post.
COVID-19 Nation Dates
Project PandemicsNZ
COVID-19 Nation Dates: A timeline of significant events in Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 pandemic is the newest book in the Nation Dates series. This book presents a timeline of significant events that have shaped the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is available for purchase for $35.00 on our BigCartel store.
The Institute hosted a book launch for COVID-19 Nation Dates on Thursday, 23 March. This was to commemorate three years from when Prime Minister Hon Jacinda Ardern declared a State of National Emergency for Aotearoa New Zealand at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brief to the Incoming Government (BIG Ideas)
Project ForesightNZ
Wednesday 22 February 2023
Thank you to all who attended the Brief to the Incoming Government event. The Brief to the Incoming Government is an exercise based upon crowd-sourced ideas that have an overall aim of shaping Aotearoa New Zealand’s long-term future (for the better). Throughout the event, these ideas were collected, considered, challenged and debated between attendees. This process was extremely helpful to test our thinking and help guide our work programme going forward. We wish to thank you all for your insightful participation.
Our new discussion paper proposes a polysolution – a package of BIG policy actions that have scale and together are able to ‘shock’ the emerging polycrisis with a diverse range of actions designed to slow, control and ideally reverse the mass of crises we face.
Discussion Paper 2023/01 – BIG Ideas: Brief to the Incoming Government has been published in a short read and long read form. The long read has 197 references.
Brief to the Incoming Government webinar
Short Read
Discussion Paper 2023/01 – BIG Ideas: Brief to the Incoming Government (Short Read)
Download (PDF, 3MB)
Long Read
Discussion Paper 2023/01 – BIG Ideas: Brief to the Incoming Government (Long Read)
Download (PDF, 6MB)
Recent Publications
Project ClimateChangeNZ
Working Paper 2022/14 – Reviewing TCFD information in 2017–2021 reports of NZSX-listed companies
September 2022
Download (PDF, 38 MB)
This research updates Working Paper 2021/06 – Reviewing TCFD information in 2017–2020 Annual Reports of NZSX-listed companies. This year, we have also analysed the TCFD reports of NZSX-listed companies against the six weather and climate extreme events discussed in Chapter 11 of the 2021 IPCC 6th Assessment Report. Although only 19 reports were reviewed, it was very clear that compounded events have not been sufficiently reported on. This implies compounded events are not being fully discussed and understood at board level (see Figures 2–4 in the working paper).
Proposal to create New Zealand’s first ecological corridor along the West Coast of the South Island
Learn more about the stewardship land reclassification project (West Coast):
(i) 21 September 2022
Oral presentation powerpoint presented to the Hearing Panel
Download (PDF, 16 MB)
(ii) 23 August 2022
Written submission
Download (PDF)
Learn more about ecological corridors:
April 2018
Think Piece 28 (the Institute’s original think piece on ecological corridors)
Download (PDF)
Designing a Water Management System for 2050
Project WaterFuturesNZ
Given the recent events, the Institute has created a new research project, WaterFuturesNZ: Securing our water future. All of the Institute’s documents relevant to the recent Bill can be found on the WaterFuturesNZ page.
Think Piece 39 – Three Waters: New body corporate model reduces government accountability
September 2022 (final draft)
Download (PDF, 2 MB)
Water Services Entities Bill – Slideshow
5 September 2022
Download (PDF, 16 MB)
The Institute’s oral submission included the Scottish Water Annual Report 2022 and the 2009 Scottish Water Governance Directions.
Water Services Entities Bill – Oral submission
Latest Submissions
Submission – Document 1: Summary and Q&A – Submission to NZX on: (i) Exposure Draft: NZX Corporate Governance Code Review – 2nd Consultation (ii) Exposure Draft: NZX ESG Guidance Note – Initial Consultation
October 2022
Download
Submission – Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards Climate-related Disclosures: Exposure Drafts
September 2022
Download
Submission – Reclassifying stewardship land on the West Coast
August 2022
Download
Policy Projects
Nation Dates
Nation Dates (4th ed.) published
Nation Dates presents timelines of significant events that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand as a nation.
Threads link related events and illustrate patterns that have formed over time. More than just a record of the past, Nation Dates provides invaluable context for the future at a time when society is facing major questions about the way forward. The 4th edition includes 4 new timelines: Political Agreements, New Zealand Wars, Government Net Worth and COVID-19.
Learn more at www.nationdatesnz.org
Purchase for $35.00 (incl. GST).
Presentations & Events
2021 Government Department Strategies Index launch webinar
On 9 June 2022 Wendy McGuinness, Chief Executive of the McGuinness Institute, presented 2021 GDS Index. View her presentation slides.
Long-term Insights Briefings: A novel policy instrument to deal with foresight
In September 2021 Wendy McGuinness, Roger Dennis and David Skilling presented Long-term Insights Briefings in Parliament. Learn more.
Blog Posts
How to create, shape and design the future, with Rik Athorne
Since March this year, the Institute has been running Bursting Bubbles events on the last Thursday of each month. These ‘how to’ sessions each have a different speaker and topic, which have been curated to expand our thinking and ideas post-COVID lockdowns. See more information on future Bursting...
Educational Grants 2023
The McGuinness Institute is pleased to award Wallis Greenslade an educational grant for 2023. Wallis GreensladeWallis has just begun a Masters in Public Administration at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), University College London. The programme aims to build capability...
How to sharpen your political nous in government, with Sally Washington
The Institute was pleased to host Sally Washington on Thursday 31 August for the fourth session of our Bursting Bubbles series. Throughout the year this series has welcomed a range of speakers and topics as we aim to expand our thinking and ideas after COVID lockdowns. See more information on...