'Putting inequality on the agenda: successes and failures' with Max Rashbrooke

This episode of the 'Research Impact for Public Good' webinar series was held on Friday 30 August 2024.

In this episode, we were joined by Max Rashbrooke, a Wellington-based writer and public intellectual renowned for his work on economic inequality and democratic renewal. Max is a Senior Research Fellow (Adjunct) at Victoria University’s School of Government and has authored influential books such as Too Much Money and Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis. In this presentation, Max discussed the role research has played in shaping public discourse on inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand. Inequality is a pressing issue stemming from disparities in income and wealth, negatively affecting various aspects of society.

Max outlined how public awareness of inequality has risen, with political leaders increasingly acknowledging the issue. However, he critically examined the limitations of this progress, highlighting that despite widespread recognition of inequality, concrete policy changes remain elusive. He explored the reasons behind this, noting that public debate often outpaces actual policy reform. Drawing on local examples, Max discussed both the successes and shortcomings of efforts to tackle inequality, such as the Child Poverty Reduction Act, which, while positive, has not addressed the underlying systemic issues. In reflecting on what more can be done, Max emphasised the importance of continued research and public engagement, advocating for stronger partnerships between academics, policymakers, and communities to drive meaningful policy shifts. His talk underscored the complexities of achieving real change and pointed to the need for a more nuanced and long-term approach to addressing economic inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand.