Overview
Motu Economic and Public Policy Research is an independent, non-profit research institute based in Wellington, New Zealand. Established in September 2000 as a charitable trust, it was created to provide rigorous economic and public policy research that supports informed decision-making on issues affecting Aotearoa New Zealand. Motu describes its purpose as helping decision-makers address complex social, environmental and economic challenges through evidence-based analysis and open public debate.
The organisation operates independently of political parties and ideological positions. Its research is intended to serve the public good by improving understanding of long-term policy challenges and their implications for society, the economy and the environment.
Mission and focus areas
Motu’s mission is to promote well-informed and reasoned debate on public policy issues through high-quality research, capacity building and research dissemination. Its work focuses on areas including climate change, emissions trading, environmental and natural resource management, wellbeing, macroeconomics, housing, urban and regional economics, labour markets, productivity, innovation and human rights measurement.
The organisation contributes to sustainability-related decision-making through research on climate policy, greenhouse gas mitigation, emissions trading systems and wellbeing outcomes. These areas are relevant to finance professionals seeking evidence on climate risks, public policy impacts, sustainable economic development and long-term value creation.
Structure and governance
Motu operates as a charitable trust and is supported by a complementary entity, the Motu Research and Education Foundation. The research trust conducts research programmes, while the foundation supports capability building through scholarships, internships, visiting academics and seed funding for new research areas.
The organisation is governed by a board of trustees and led by an Executive Director. It works with government agencies, academic institutions, private-sector organisations and other stakeholders while maintaining its independence and commitment to publicly available research.
Programs and offerings
Motu produces working papers, policy reports, datasets, journal articles and research notes covering a wide range of economic, environmental and social issues. It also hosts public policy seminars, short courses and research events designed to encourage evidence-based discussion and knowledge sharing.
A distinctive feature of Motu is its commitment to making research outputs freely available. The organisation also maintains specialised resources, including research on emissions trading systems and the Human Rights Measurement Initiative, providing valuable evidence and analytical tools for policymakers, researchers and sustainability practitioners.
