Hall, David2025-02-052025-02-052024-11-25Policy Quarterly, ISSN: 2324-1098 (Print); 2324-1101 (Online), Victoria University of Wellington Library, 20(4), 73-82. doi: 10.26686/pq.v20i4.96382324-10982324-1101http://hdl.handle.net/10292/18599The policy mix is an analytical framework for understanding the elements, processes, dimensions and characteristics of complex policy systems. This article applies this framework to Aotearoa New Zealand’s policy mix for climate mitigation, both to understand why we have the policies we have, and also to stimulate ideas about how to improve outcomes. Instead of a comprehensive analysis, the article focuses on the mix of policy instruments, the evaluative principles that guide policy appraisal, the challenge of harmonising multiple principles, and the influence of economic principles on the scope and intent of policy mixes.In the interest of promoting debate and wider dissemination, the IGPS encourages use of all or part of the articles appearing in PQ, where there is no element of commercial gain. Appropriate acknowledgement of both author and source should be made in all cases. The IGPS retains copyright. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/4407 Policy and Administration4408 Political Science44 Human SocietyJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.26686/pq.v20i4.9638