Alex Penk and Julian WoodAlex Penk and Julian Wood

Alex Penk is the CEO of independent think thank Maxim Institute. He has a Master of Laws from Cambridge University and degrees in law and science from the University of Auckland. Julian Wood is economics researcher at Maxim Institute, primarily examining regional development in New Zealand. Wood is a former senior policy analyst for the Department of Labour, where he focused on labour market dynamics, minimum wage and employment legislation, regional development, and immigration

Think Big 2.0: The Provincial Growth Fund risks turning into a fiasco

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The Shane Jones led scheme offers an incredible opportunity to invest in a sustainable future for people living in New Zealand’s regions, but at this rate it will be remembered as a byword for flawed ecnomic development policy, write Alex Penk and Julian Wood of the Maxim Institute What do the words “Think Big” bring … Read more

Triumph or disaster? A guide to the minimum wage increase

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Minimum wages are going up – but when they do, Working for Families will go down. The Maxim Institute’s Alex Penk and Julian Wood weigh up the new Government’s wage policy. Raising the minimum wage will usher us forward into the glorious workers’ paradise – or it will grind the economy to a halt? These are … Read more