local government
Our consultants provide a wide range of services to local and regional governments and to private clients interacting with these organisations.
We analyse policy proposals, estimate economic and social impacts, build empirical tools for analysing financial policies (rates, development contributions etc), develop strategies, and advise on economic aspects of land-use policies.
Analysis of Affordable Housing Policy
Provided economic evidence on Queenstown’s proposal to include affordable housing provisions in its district plan.
Analysis of Residential Property Prices
Analysed data on 40,000 residential property sales to determine the effects of more than 100 different variables on residential property prices, and to isolate the specific effects of different locations.
Analysis of Trends in the Use of Council Rating Tools
Authored a report on trends in the use of rating tools for the Local Government Rates inquiry.
Analysis of Urban Development Scenarios
Developed a financial model to compare the effects of different urban development scenarios on Council debt, rates and infrastructure charges. This model was the first of its kind.
Assessing the Impacts of New Retail Developments
Developed a model to test the effects of new retail centres on the health and vitality of existing centres. This used real-world transaction data to provide a very detailed picture of consumer spending, and to accurately identify the nature of competition between centres.
Business Land Projections
Generated business land projections to 2050 using a combination of empirical methods.
Calculating and managing trade waste charges
Trade waste refers to the use of wastewater systems by non-residential customers. We designed a database to (i) calculate charges in accordance with Council's bylaw, and (ii) distribute and manage monthly invoices to major customers. This replaced an unworkable solution provided by another consultancy.
Competition between supermarkets
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 allocation dispute over Auckland's northern busway
Expert testimony on the appropriate allocation of North Shore City's share of Northern Busway costs as between existing and future residents.
Development contributions policies
Development contributions are a tool used by local authorities to fund local infrastructure such as roads and reserves. We are leading experts in this area, having worked on them for a number of local authorities. We have developed a policy for inclusion in the LTCCP, a fully-customised model for calculating charges, as well as a full set of supporting documentation.
Development Contributions Policy Design
Wrote a paper that summarises our work on more than 20 development contributions projects. This includes negotiating $10 million in refunds following the judicial review of North Shore City Council’s development contributions policy.
Drivers of economic growth in Auckland
Review of the state of knowledge regarding economic growth in Auckland, including the potential benefits of agglomeration and innovation.
Economic development of the Auckland region
Review of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy (AREDS) and the Metro Project Action Plan in light of economic and governance changes.
Economic Evidence for Private Plan Change
Analysed the economic effects of a proposed mixed-use development adjacent to Hamilton Airport.
Economic impact of the port of Auckland
Ports of Auckland is the largest port in New Zealand, carrying 37% of annual trade (by value). This project estimated the economic impact of the port by analysing the effect of its operations on the regional economy. It showed that the port generated employment for over 1,000 people, and generated regional GDP of $144 million per annum.
Forecasting business land requirements.
Accurate forecasts of future business land are essential to good planning. For this particular project, we estimated future needs using two independent methods, then reconciled them using a blend of local knowledge and expert judgement. The results have since fed into Council’s long term planning.
Local government funding policy
We have helped review and design funding policies for a number of local authorities. This includes funding for operational costs (such as rates and user charges), plus those for capital expenditures (such as development contributions and financial contributions). We have also developed a range of sophisticated models to generate - and analyse the impacts of - charges.
Metropolitan urban limits
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.
Non-rate funding options for councils
Analysis of the ways that local government councils can finance their activities, other than through property rates.
Reviewing rates paid by the business sector
The share of local authority rates paid by businesses has always been a moot point. In this project we undertook a detailed and objective review of business rates, and placed them in context of benefits received and ability to pay. Our analysis suggested that, for this particular council, the level of business rates was unjustifiably high.
The composition and scale of Auckland’s economy
Analysis of the population, the industrial structure, economic outcomes for Aucklanders, and the economic links between Auckland and other places.
Trends in the use of rating tools and non-rate funding mechanisms
In 2007, we reviewed trends in the use of rating tools on behalf of the Local Government Rates Inquiry.