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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. 
Environment

A guide to just transitions for communities in Aotearoa NZ

Publication

This guide helps communities confront the major disruptive challenges Aotearoa New Zealand is facing.

Well-being and sustainability measures

Working for fun? The impact of employment in the arts sector on wellbeing

Authors: Arthur Grimes | Trinh Le | Thomas Benison

Working Paper

Despite the prospect of adverse financial and employment outcomes, the labour market for arts workers is often characterised with an excess supply of workers.

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

February 14, 2025

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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Firm performance and labour dynamics

Pay in Māori-led firms

Authors: Dave Maré | Richard Fabling

Working Paper

This study examines whether working in a Māori-led firm contributes to the earnings of Māori employees. It uses administrative data for 2005-2020 to identify Māori-led firms, based on the ethnicity and descent of working proprietors,…
Firm productivity and performance

Still medalling: Productivity gets a bronze (data source)

Author: Richard Fabling

Working Paper

Productivity data is missing from the Longitudinal Business Database (LBD) for over a third of firm-year observations in “measured sector” industries, equating to a fifth of total labour in those industries.
We develop a method to…
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.
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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