News & Media
The latest news from The Helen Clark Foundation
23 February 2026
BlogHear leading global human rights advocate Ken Roth on Q+A
Ken Roth is in New Zealand as a guest of the Helen Clark Foundation and AUT
Helen Clark Foundation
2 February 2026
BlogShaping local futures
Paula Southgate on how local government should be working with communities, not talking at them.
Paula Southgate
30 January 2026
BlogIs the EU our next ‘best mate’?
In today’s complex and conflicted world, New Zealand’s expanding relationship with the European Union may well have a fresh air of permanence about it.
Stephen Jacobi
19 December 2025
BlogIt’s time the law caught up with society on consent
Most of us agree on the basics: communicate, don’t assume. When legal standards diverge from social standards, confusion follows.
Dr. Anna High
16 December 2025
BlogIntroducing the Donors' Circle
A new community of members and supporters whose regular giving sustains our work
Helen Clark Foundation
10 December 2025
BlogHow to fix the reputation of local government
Councils face significant funding deficits and rising costs, but this reality is drowned out by cost-of-living pressures and rate hikes
Paula Southgate
29 October 2025
BlogDemocracy already in use against drug harm – why can’t politicians do the same?
This project has shown that New Zealand citizens can build consensus collectively, and reach sensible and nuanced solutions to reducing harm from drugs, with empathy, evidence, and health at their core. Can our politicians step up and do the same?
Dr. Rose Crossin
28 October 2025
Press ReleaseThe Helen Clark Foundation Calls On Govt To Follow The Evidence And Fund A Health-Based Approach
NZs drug law has had little change for decades. In the face of the growing presence of synthetics in the drug supply offshore and the impacts on our communities when there is insufficient harm reduction, the need to reform how we respond is grea.,
The Helen Clark Foundation
20 October 2025
BlogWatch Kali Mercier on Q+A discussing our new report, Age-proofing Aotearoa
Deputy Director of the Helen Clark Foundation and WSP Fellow Kali Mercier appeared on Q+A With Jack Tame to discuss our new report, Age-proofing Aotearoa: Rethinking our infrastructure for an ageing population
Kali Mercier
19 October 2025
Press ReleaseWSP and the Helen Clark Foundation report urges future-proofing infrastructure for ageing population
A new research report released today by WSP and the Helen Clark Foundation calls for urgent, coordinated action to prepare infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and social services for a future where as many as one in three New Zealanders may be aged 65 or older.
The Helen Clark Foundation
11 October 2025
BlogWelcoming Paula Southgate to our Honorary Fellows Programme
The Helen Clark Foundation is delighted to welcome outgoing Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate as our newest Honorary Senior Fellow from 1 November.
The Helen Clark Foundation
25 September 2025
BlogDemocracy in New Zealand is not inevitable
Helen Clark Foundation Honorary Senior Fellow Jonathan Boston ONZM highlights potential reforms to protect democratic governance in New Zealand, as Parliament reviews its Standing Orders. This piece was originally published in Newsroom.
Jonathan Boston
27 August 2025
BlogStephen Jacobi: Tariffs, Geopolitics and Other Challenges
The following remarks were made by Stephen Jacobi to a recent payment industry forum. Stephen is one of the Foundation’s Honorary Senior Fellows
Stephen Jacobi
11 August 2025
BlogBold leadership required to build global trust
Helen Clark Foundation Honorary Senior Fellow Stephen Jacobi highlights the growing lack of trust in international affairs, which bodes ill for addressing critical global problems.
Stephen Jacobi
9 August 2025
BlogNZ infrastructure faces crisis as maintenance lags behind
When we think about infrastructure in Aotearoa New Zealand, most of us picture the obvious: the roads we drive on, the pipes that carry our water, the schools our children attend, the hospitals that keep us healthy. What we don’t often consider is the huge amount of work that needs to go into keeping those assets up to scratch.
Kali Mercier
16 July 2025
BlogAnnouncing our new Honorary Fellow Programme
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Helen Clark Foundation’s Honorary Fellows programme. The programme brings together highly…
Helen Clark Foundation
23 June 2025
BlogNew Project: Drug policy in New Zealand
New Helen Clark Foundation project investigates drug policy expenditure in New Zealand and compares current spending to community preferences. We’re…
Helen Clark Foundation
4 June 2025
Press ReleaseWSP and Helen Clark Foundation call for urgent rethink on infrastructure asset management
A new report by WSP and the Helen Clark Foundation warns that many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges stem…
Helen Clark Foundation
24 April 2025
BlogProject Announcement: Addressing sexual violence against women
The Helen Clark Foundation is proud to announce our latest project: with generous support from the Clare Foundation, we are…
Helen Clark Foundation
25 February 2025
BlogDon’t be afraid of what sociology can tell us about ourselves
NZ must not follow Trump in wanting to cut health research overheads for grants, or his ditching of diversity, equity…
Peter Davis
25 November 2024
Press ReleaseHelen Clark Foundation calls for political action to reduce the prevalence of junk food and improve access to healthy foods to quell New Zealand’s growing obesity rates
In a report released today, public policy think tank The Helen Clark Foundation calls for long overdue political action to…
Helen Clark Foundation
25 November 2024
BlogWatch Kali Mercier on Q+A discussing our report, Premiums Under Pressure
Helen Clark Foundation WSP Fellow and Deputy Director Kali Mercier was on Q+A on Sunday, discussing one of our latest…
Helen Clark Foundation
10 November 2024
Press ReleaseNew report warns of insurance crisis due to climate change; urges immediate action
A new report by the Helen Clark Foundation and engineering consultants WSP highlights a looming crisis for residential insurance in…
Helen Clark Foundation
1 November 2024
BlogNew member November
Note: This offer has now ended. Have you thought about joining The Helen Clark Foundation as a member before? With…
Helen Clark Foundation
29 August 2024
BlogWhy are we so afraid of financing infrastructure with debt?
This blog post by Helen Clark Foundation Deputy Director and WSP Fellow Kali Mercier was originally published in the New…
Kali Mercier
21 August 2024
BlogWatch Philippa Yasbek discuss our latest report on Q + A with Jack Tame
Our latest report, Shining a Light: Improving transparency in New Zealand’s political and governance systems was released on Sunday. The…
Helen Clark Foundation
19 August 2024
Press ReleaseHelen Clark Foundation calls for tougher rules against corruption, as public unease grows
In a report released today, public policy think tank The Helen Clark Foundation brings into sharp focus the growing perception…
Helen Clark Foundation
26 June 2024
BlogHelen Clark Foundation event at Parliament puts spotlight on infrastructure
There’s a growing consensus that Aotearoa New Zealand faces a huge infrastructure debt. But who is going to pay for…
Helen Clark Foundation
23 May 2024
BlogSponge Cities report wins “Research and Communications” category in New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects award programme
Our landmark report on Sponge Cities, authored by Foundation deputy director Kali Mercier has won major recognition from the New…
Helen Clark Foundation
23 May 2024
Press ReleaseHelen Clark Foundation and WSP call for urgent action to unlock funding and financing for infrastructure
Media release – The Helen Clark Foundation and WSP in New Zealand. In a major new research report, the Helen…
Helen Clark Foundation
2 May 2024
BlogCan the centre in New Zealand politics hold?
The Government’s just-completed 100 days of action could well be the most comprehensive and far-reaching rejection of a previous…
Peter Davis
25 March 2024
BlogThe dangers of ‘magical thinking’
In a recent commentary under the headline “magical thinking about government needs a dose of reality”, the UK’s Institute for…
Peter Davis
3 March 2024
BlogThe Helen Clark Foundation celebrates fifth anniversary
The Helen Clark Foundation is a non-partisan, evidence-based public policy think tank. That means we develop solutions to New Zealand’s…
Helen Clark Foundation
20 November 2023
Press ReleaseClimate adaptation planning: “Community engagement critical,” say Helen Clark Foundation and WSP
A new report from the Helen Clark Foundation and engineering consultants WSP is calling for significant change to the way…
Helen Clark Foundation
3 November 2023
Press ReleaseReconnecting Aotearoa – a new book on the need to address social isolation
On Friday 3 November, former Prime Minister Helen Clark will launch Reconnecting Aotearoa – a new collection of essays on…
Helen Clark Foundation
5 October 2023
BlogThe poverty of retail politics
We are in the concluding stages of an election campaign. Its signature feature has been a form of retail politics…
Peter Davis
13 August 2023
Press ReleaseHelen Clark Foundation and WSP propose distinctive NZ ‘sponge cities’ model for addressing urban flood risk
In a major new research report, the Helen Clark Foundation and WSP in New Zealand are recommending a series of…
Helen Clark Foundation
4 August 2023
BlogReasons to be cheerful in this winter of discontent
Paul Henry in an interview with Paula Bennett asks “what have we got be proud of in this country now?”.…
Peter Davis
1 May 2023
Press ReleaseThe Helen Clark Foundation welcomes new Executive Director, Murray Bruges
The Helen Clark Foundation is pleased to announce that Murray Bruges has been appointed as its new Executive Director. Murray…
Helen Clark Foundation
4 April 2023
BlogHealth system better than you think
Barely a day goes by without some worrying story about shortcomings in our health system appearing in the media. In…
Peter Davis
13 March 2023
BlogOur long-term problems keep catching up on us
Aside from the dominance of media and political attention, what the issues of Three Waters and Cyclone Gabrielle underline is…
Peter Davis
9 November 2022
Press ReleaseHelen Clark Foundation and WSP in New Zealand call for national forum on designing for safety in towns and cities
The Helen Clark Foundation and WSP in New Zealand are recommending that a national forum be convened on how urban…
Helen Clark Foundation
4 September 2022
Press ReleaseMinimising The Harms From Methamphetamine: New Report
The Helen Clark Foundation together with the New Zealand Drug Foundation proposes pathway to reduce methamphetamine harm A new report…
Helen Clark Foundation
10 May 2022
Press ReleaseMove Forward With Congestion Charging But Put Fairness In The Driver’s Seat, Says Helen Clark Foundation & WSP NZ
In a just-released research report, the Helen Clark Foundation and WSP in New Zealand are recommending how congestion charging can…
Helen Clark Foundation
1 May 2022
Press ReleaseHelen Clark Foundation Calls For Maternal Mental Health To Be A Policy Priority In New Report
Pregnancy suicide statistics reveal need for more parental leave and for perinatal and maternal mental health to be a focus…
Helen Clark Foundation
2 March 2022
Press ReleaseSea Change Needed
Ahead of The Helen Clark Foundation’s webinar today about how to progress the High Seas Treaty, we visited The Noises…
Helen Clark Foundation
4 February 2022
BlogWhy Kiwi Families Need Social Insurance
If you or your partner lost their job, how long could you last before you had to move house? Many…
Kathy Errington
26 January 2022
Press ReleaseTom James Appointed WSP Fellow At The Helen Clark Foundation
The Helen Clark Foundation and WSP New Zealand are thrilled to announce that Tom James has been appointed as the…
Helen Clark Foundation
18 November 2021
Press ReleaseFreeing Kiwis From Gridlock: Major Transport Changes Key To Climate Change Commitments And Equity
Read the full report here, or the accessible version here. Sweeping changes are needed in Aotearoa New Zealand’s transport system…
Helen Clark Foundation
21 July 2021
Press ReleaseACC Data Reveal $636k Daily Cost Of Alcohol-related Crashes
Alcohol-fueled crashes cost New Zealanders $636,000 in lifetime ACC costs every day for the last five years on average new…
Helen Clark Foundation
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Significant Media Appearances in 2025
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Individuals engaged with our Research