economics

Economics is a way of thinking, a body of knowledge and a set of tools and techniques. At Covec, we use economics to help us solve problems for our clients. We have the full tool-kit of economics available, mostly in-house but we also draw on our academic associates as required. More importantly, once we’ve done the work you will get a clear and concise report rather than a jumble of jargon and numbers.

Examples of Our Work:

Analysis of measures to improve oil security

A series of studies to assist in the development of oil security policy: (1) a cost benefit analysis of increasing levels of oil storage consistent with IEA requirements, (2) analysis of options for rapid demand restraint in the event of a supply emergency and (3) the design of a fuel rationing system.

Oil Demand Restraint.pdf

Oil Security.pdf

Competition between supermarkets

Foodstuffs

Expert testimony on economic issues arising from a proposal for a new Pak'nSave supermarket at Wairau Rd on Auckland's North Shore, before the Environment Court.

Cost-benefit analysis training

Two-day short course on economic issues in cost-benefit analysis.

Drivers of economic growth in Auckland

Royal Commission on Auckland's Governance

Review of the state of knowledge regarding economic growth in Auckland, including the potential benefits of agglomeration and innovation.

Drivers of Economic Growth in Auckland.pdf

Economic development of the Auckland region

Auckland Regional Council

Review of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy (AREDS) and the Metro Project Action Plan in light of economic and governance changes.

Efficient transmission pricing

Mighty River Power

Economic analysis of the efficient treatment of loss and constraint rentals arising from nodal pricing of electricity.

Liberalisation of telecommunications in Vanuatu

Government of Vanuatu

Negotiation of an early end to the monopoly telecommunications franchise including compensation modelling. Provision of complete regulatory service for first 18 months of the new competitive regime, including design and implementation of universal access policy.

Merger analysis in the waste industry

Chapman Tripp

Detailed empirical modelling of the cost and demand for different forms of waste collection in cities of varying sizes, including modelling economies of route density.

Metropolitan urban limits

Environment Bay of Plenty

Analysis and expert testimony on economic issues arising from the use of urban limits by Councils to influence the spatial pattern of development, before the Environment Court.

Mobile termination

Vodafone New Zealand

Provided expert advice and analysis on economic, competitive and regulatory issues relating to termination of calls on mobile networks.

Universal service costs

Vodafone New Zealand

Analysis of economic issues associated with the TSO instrument under the Telecommunciations Act 2001, including matters related to technological optimisation.

Valuation of broadcasting spectrum rights

Ministry of Economic Development (NZ)

Development of a simple, robust and transparent method for valuing the renewal of broadcast spectrum rights.

Water economics

Watercare Services Ltd

We undertook two projects in 2007. One compared the costs of alternative means of augmenting Auckland's fresh water supplies, including the potential for greater use of water pricing. The second investigated the comparative costs of a set of potential waste-water investment projects.