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.

Individual and group outcomes

The wage cost of a lack of access to affordable childcare in Aotearoa New Zealand

Authors: Isabelle Sin | Thomas Benison

Working Paper

Access to suitable and affordable childcare is a prerequisite for labour force participation for many mothers.

Auckland issues

Dispelling myths: Reviewing the evidence on zoning reforms in Auckland

Authors: Stuart Donovan | Matthew Maltman

Working Paper

In 2016, the city of Auckland adopted zoning reforms that enabled more housing on approximately three-quarters of its urban land. Three subsequent studies have found…

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.

2024-10-18

Motu Research announces winners of the Āheitanga Scholarship 2024

Motu Research is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Āheitanga Scholarship, an award designed to bolster research capacity…

Our Research

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

October 1, 2024

34th Australia New Zealand Econometric Study Group (ANZESG) Meeting

On 14 February 2025, Motu Research, the Treasury and Reserve Bank of New Zealand are hosting the 2025 meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Econometrics Study Group (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

SORT BY

Auckland issues

Dispelling myths: Reviewing the evidence on zoning reforms in Auckland

Authors: Stuart Donovan | Matthew Maltman

Working Paper

In 2016, the city of Auckland adopted zoning reforms that enabled more housing on approximately three-quarters of its urban land. Three subsequent studies have found that these reforms increased housing supply and reduced rents.
 
Two economists…

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.

Individual and group outcomes

Earnings bunching at benefit abatement thresholds: evidence from recent policy changes

Authors: Dave Maré | Dean Hyslop

Working Paper

Government income support policies face a balance between providing adequate income, maintaining work incentives, and managing fiscal costs to the government. Recent changes to abatement thresholds in Aotearoa New Zealand aim to improve support and…

Education and skills

Building on strengths: Educational pathways that benefit Māori students

Authors: Isabelle Sin | Shannon Minehan

Working Paper

An economic analysis of pathways through education leading to strong outcomes for Māori students, and how these differ by gender - and for students with different interests and aptitudes in high school. The authors focus…

The wage cost of a lack of access to affordable childcare in Aotearoa New Zealand

Dispelling myths: Reviewing the evidence on zoning reforms in Auckland

Updates

Our Research

Environment

Urban & regional

Wellbeing & macro-economics

Population & labour

Human rights

Productivity & innovation

Public Policy Seminar

Progressing offshore mitigation for Aotearoa New Zealand

Recent events

34th Australia New Zealand Econometric Study Group (ANZESG) Meeting

Urban Economic short courses coming soon

Introducing 'A guide to just transitions for communities in Aotearoa NZ'

Featured work

Dispelling myths: Reviewing the evidence on zoning reforms in Auckland

Think globally, act cooperatively: Progressing offshore mitigation for Aotearoa New Zealand

Do New Zealand home equity release schemes provide value for money?

The effect of income on New Zealand children's behaviour: The influence of maternal stress and children's screen use

Who can leave a partner who uses violence?

Distinctive neighbourhood housing patterns in Aotearoa New Zealand

Earnings bunching at benefit abatement thresholds: evidence from recent policy changes

Building on strengths: Educational pathways that benefit Māori students