Since 1976, the CIS has evolved into the leading public policy think tank in Australasia. We are staunchly independent, nonpartisan, and committed to the conditions that underpin a free society.

The CIS aims to promote

* individual liberty and choice, including freedom of association, religion, and speech,
and the right to property,
* an economy based on free markets,
* democratic government under the rule of law,
* and an autonomous and free civil society.

In 2006, the CIS established its New Zealand Policy Unit to focus specifically on NZ issues. The unit’s work so far has focused on tax, government spending, tertiary education, and social policy. Already, this work has stimulated debate and attracted widespread media coverage.

The New Zealand Policy Unit also contributes to the CIS’s events and publishing activities. It puts out regular papers in the Issue Analysis series, opinion pieces in major New Zealand news outlets, and articles in Policy magazine. The CIS’s annual John Bonython lecture is now held in Auckland as well as Sydney each year, and the Centre offers scholarships for young New Zealanders to attend its Liberty & Society conferences in Sydney.

In 2008, the CIS held a forum in Auckland entitled ‘Big ideas to Super-size New Zealand’s Economy,’ featuring former RBNZ governor Dr Don Brash, New Zealand Institute CEO Dr Andrew Skilling, EPMU general secretary Andrew Little, and CIS policy analyst Phil Rennie.

The expansion of CIS activities in New Zealand is about promoting continuous public policy improvement and fostering debate on important issues. As in Australia, the CIS provides an independent voice for change.

	Luke Malpass is a policy analyst with the New Zealand Policy Unit. Prior to his arrival at the CIS, Luke worked as a teaching assistant at the University of Canterbury, where he will soon complete a Master of Arts in political philosophy. Originally from North Canterbury, Luke holds a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours from the University of Otago. His current research interests include NZ public policy, the welfare state, and political philosophy.
	Phil Rennie is an adjunct scholar with the Centre’s New Zealand Policy Unit. Originally from Wellington, he has previously worked for the Institution of Professional Engineers NZ, and for National MPs in the New Zealand Parliament. Phil has spent the last two years building the profile of the New Zealand Policy Unit at the CIS through work focused on tax and government spending. Searching for CIS research staff [Click here]