Open research questions in New Zealand Economic and Social Studies
74 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 284 New Zealand Economic and Social Studies papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.
What the literature leaves open
The study does not account for potential biases in the data. The analysis is limited to the New Zealand context, which may not be generalizable to other countries.
NZ’s costly fees-free scheme did little to widen access to tertiary education – new study · 2026 · DOIFuture research should investigate the impact of tuition subsidies on tertiary education outcomes in different contexts. Studies should examine the effects of tuition subsidies on equity and access. Research should explore the potential for more targeted and effective policies to increase participation in tertiary education.
NZ’s costly fees-free scheme did little to widen access to tertiary education – new study · 2026 · DOIThere is a lack of understanding of the Socialist Unity Party of New Zealand and its members' backgrounds, motivations, and outlook. There is a need to study the party's influence and activities.
The current system is socially inequitable and inefficient. The tuition gap will become even less likely to encourage access to higher education as the student population decreases.
The study is limited by the small number of New Zealand elections (11). The paper does not consider other factors that may influence election outcomes, such as party identification and foreign policy.
Future research could consider other factors that may influence election outcomes, such as party identification and foreign policy. The study's findings may be relevant to other countries with similar economic and political systems, and future research could explore this. Further research could examine the relationship between economic conditions and election outcomes in other contexts.
The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of Social Credit's electoral performance. The analysis of Social Credit's high points and accompanying changes in the National Party and Labour Party votes is a new contribution.
The government's lack of action to dissuade New Zealanders from competing against South Africans is a challenge to the implementation of the Gleneagles Agreement. The confusion surrounding the Edmonton Commonwealth Games is a challenge to New Zealand's participation and reputation.
The paper is limited by the lack of available documentation and information on the government's actions. The cost of mass producing the document was prohibitive, limiting the availability of annexes and supporting material.
The paper identifies a gap in our understanding of the complexities of colonial rule and Maori resistance in New Zealand. The study highlights the need for further research on the experiences of Maori prophets and leaders.
Colonial rule and local response: Maori responses to European domination in New Zealand since 1860 · 1976 · DOIThe constraints of the census data. The lack of suitable cross-tabulation data from the 1966 Census.
The committee's effectiveness is limited by its inability to challenge government policies. The committee's work is largely confined to seeking explanations and justifications for proposed expenditure.
The decline of the New Zealand parliament's authority and effectiveness in controlling the executive. The need for a more effective means of scrutinising government expenditure.
The challenge of balancing the interests of different pressure groups. The challenge of ensuring that pressure groups are representative of the whole society. The challenge of adapting to the changing needs of the country.
Further study on the impact of pressure groups on government policies. Analysis of the effectiveness of international cooperation among pressure groups.
The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of New Zealand's title of 'Dominion'. The title was seen as implying inferior status to other countries.
The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of socio-economic status in New Zealand. It also highlights the need for further research on dating intimacies and peer expectations of behaviour.
The lack of understanding of bureaucratic norms in New Zealand, - The need to identify the salient norms that influence the behavior of administrators
The paper identifies the challenge of reducing the number of people in prison. It highlights the need for a more constructive approach to penal policy. The paper also touches on the challenge of introducing new measures such as probation and periodic detention.
The study notes that the sheer size and extent of the New Zealand administrative structure is an important consideration. The paper identifies the need for a more systematic description of the New Zealand political system.
The study is limited to a descriptive analysis of pressure group activity. The paper does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of pressure groups on the political process.
The book is said to have a limited scope, only discussing China and Vietnam in detail. The editor's claim that the book provides an 'exhaustive examination' of New Zealand's foreign policy is questioned.
New Zealand’s Record in the Pacific Islands in the Twentieth Century by Angus Ross (ed.), Auckland, Longman Paul Ltd. for the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, 1969, 362 pp., $NZ6.00 · 1970 · DOIThe paper identifies a gap in the analysis of New Zealand's foreign policy in the Pacific Islands. The book aims to fill this gap by providing an up-to-date examination of the country's record in the region.
New Zealand’s Record in the Pacific Islands in the Twentieth Century by Angus Ross (ed.), Auckland, Longman Paul Ltd. for the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, 1969, 362 pp., $NZ6.00 · 1970 · DOIFurther study of the Social Credit party's support in different electorates. Analysis of the implications of Social Credit's growth on the two-party system.
The gap in understanding the nature of Social Credit voting support. The lack of analysis of the Social Credit party's support using survey techniques.
Most-cited papers in New Zealand Economic and Social Studies
- An assessment of micro-credentials in New Zealand vocational education · International Journal of Training Research · 2022 · 22 citations
- The systemic implications of housing affordability for the teacher shortage: the case of New South Wales, Australia · The Australian Educational Researcher · 2023 · 21 citations
- A FORWARD-LOOKING MEASURE OF THE STOCK OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN NEW ZEALAND* · Manchester School · 2006 · 18 citations
- Where are we now? Patterns of Māori and Pasifika enrolment in the Natural and Physical Science and Society and Culture fields in Aotearoa New Zealand · Higher Education Research & Development · 2021 · 14 citations
- Changes in Amenity Values after COVID‐19 Lockdowns in Auckland, New Zealand · Economic Papers A journal of applied economics and policy · 2021 · 13 citations
- Understanding New Zealand’s decline in homeownership · Housing Studies · 2016 · 8 citations
- Demand-side assistance in Australia’s rental housing market: exploring reform options · AHURI Final Report · 2020 · 8 citations
- Austerity, Neo-Liberal Economics, and Youth Suicide: The Case of New Zealand, 1980-2000 · Journal of Social History · 2013 · 6 citations
- Reforming the public sector for leaner government and improved performance: The New Zealand experience · Public Administration and Development · 1996 · 6 citations
- Income Inequality in New Zealand, 1935–2014 · Australian Economic Review · 2018 · 5 citations
Most recent work
- Navigating contested terrain: The impact of comprehensive reforms on the quality and equity of Indigenous education in Aotearoa New Zealand · Education Policy Analysis Archives · 2026
- NZ’s costly fees-free scheme did little to widen access to tertiary education – new study · 2026
- The public mandate for equitable climate adaptation: Evidence from Aotearoa New Zealand · Environmental Science & Policy · 2026
- Regional Variation in Rental Price Inflation · Policy Quarterly · 2026
- Correction: Equity and Veterinary Education in Aotearoa New Zealand · New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies · 2026
- The Ohu Movement in New Zealand An Experiment in Government Sponsorship of Communal Living in the 1970s · Communal Societies · 2026
- Addressing challenges in New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure apprenticeship support system: insights from policy analysis · International Journal of Training Research · 2026
- The Fall and Rise of Postgraduate Commonwealth Supported Places · UWA Profiles and Research Repository (University of Western Australia) · 2026
- Resolution and resistance: what shaped New Zealand’s climate change policies under the sixth Labour government? · Political Science · 2025
- The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the democratic government ecosystem in Aotearoa New Zealand · Political Science · 2025
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