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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. 
Well-being and sustainability measures

Micro-geography and public tenant wellbeing

Authors: Arthur Grimes | Philippa Howden-Chapman | Conal Smith | Kimberley O'Sullivan | Lydia Le Gros | Rachel Kowalchuk Dohig

Working Paper

The micro-geography of people’s wellbeing depends on house and neighbourhood characteristics.

Individual and group outcomes

Expenditure patterns of New Zealand retiree households

Authors: Trinh Le | Euan Richardson

Working Paper

This research delves into expenditure patterns of retiree households in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Updates

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2024-08-26

Āheitanga Thesis scholarship - applications CLOSED for 2024

Every year, Motu Research offers a one-year $10,000 scholarship pool to enhance research capacity in Aotearoa’s Māori community. It is…

2024-07-15

Livvy Mitchell collects three prizes at 2024 NZAE conference

Several of our researchers presented at the 2024 New Zealand Association of Economists (NZAE) conference. 

2024-05-03

Stuart Donovan appointed to the Housing Expert Advisory Group

Stuart Donovan has recently been appointed to the Housing Expert Advisory Group (HEAG), which will report to the Ministry of…

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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Events

February 14, 2025

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.

Recent events

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.

February 19, 2024

Role of hydrogen in low-carbon energy transition

Hottest month on record. Extreme marine heatwaves. Record-low Antarctic sea-ice. While El Niño was a short-term factor 2023's record-breaking heat, human-caused climate change is the main reason for longterm record breaking temperatures. Can using hydrogen as a fuel be part of the solution?

Dr. Sergey Paltsev, Deputy Director of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, discusses.

Featured work

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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…
Individual and group outcomes

Job displacement and local employment density

Authors: Dave Maré | Dean Hyslop | Richard Fabling

Working Paper

Past research finds evidence that workers’ labour market outcomes are enhanced if they live in areas with greater job opportunities and employment density.
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.
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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