Reuben Irvine

Reuben is an economist with over 10 years of professional experience. He has expertise in competition, regulatory and taxation economics, and experience in analysing economic, regulatory and public policy issues across a wide range of sectors, including network industries, such as telecommunications.

Reuben has worked in highly-regarded public sector organisations both in New Zealand and abroad, where he has undertaken complex policy and economic analysis, research and legal investigations.

Contact Details

Phone:

+64 9 916 1967

Mobile:

+64 9 21 777 089

Email:

reuben [dot] irvine [at] covec [dot] co [dot] nz

Qualifications & Experience:

MCom (economics), University of Auckland

The Competition Authority, Ireland (2002 – 2005)

Policy Advice Division, Inland Revenue, New Zealand (1998 – 2002)

Tax and Customs Department, Denmark (1999)

Expertise

banking & finance

communications

environment & resource management

local government

competition & regulatory advice

economic & social development

economic modelling & analysis

litigation support

commercial transaction support

policy & cost-benefit analysis

Recent Work

Cost-benefit analysis training

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

Economic analysis of rules protecting data used in the registration of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines

NZ Food Safety Authority

Some of the data used by firms to support the registration of various agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines is able to be referenced by rival firms. This analysis evaluated the pro-competitive benefits of the absence of any such data protection and the adverse impacts from a reduced incentive for firms to register new products.

Economic impact analysis of aquaculture in the Waikato region

Environment Waikato

The economic impact of the aquacultural industry within the Waikato Region was evaluated. The aquacultural industry in this region largely consists of mussel farming, a significant proportion of which are exported. The benefits from this activity include a $27m contribution towards regional GDP each year and generates employment for 370 FTEs.

Aquaculture EIA Report.pdf

Grocery and general merchandise merger

Assessment of the likely outcome of Court action over the clearance applications by Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises to acquire The Warehouse. We correctly anticipated that the Commerce Commission's refusal to grant clearance would be upheld.

Interchange fee setting and other credit card network rules

Cards NZ Ltd

Economic advice on competition issues arising from the setting of interchange fees in open (four-party) credit card networks.

Internet access competition

Commerce Commission (NZ)

Preliminary advice on the competitive implications of the so-called 0867 initiative introduced by Telecom in the late 1990s.

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 oil industry

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts

Analysis of whether the sale of Mobil's general aviation refueling business to a competitor would substantially lessen competition.

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.

Preliminary cost-benefit analysis of proposed national environmental standards for septic tanks

Ministry for the Environment (NZ)

This analysis evaluated the costs and benefits of a proposed NES that would seek to improve the performance of many of NZ's septic tanks. The main costs of the NES would be the costs of administering a new regulatory system and the costs of complying with the new standards (ie repairs and maintenance). The main benefits would be improved public health and environmental outcomes.

NES Preliminary CBA.pdf

Review of the use of economic instruments for the sustainable management of water

Parliamentary Commission for the Environment

The different market-based instruments that are available for the allocation of water rights and the sustainable management of water were reviewed and their strengths and weaknesses assessed. These instruments inlcude charges and permits for: water use; and water pollution. The practical, political and legislative issues that may arise with each of these instruments was also assessed.

Tax and depreciation issues in regulation

Commerce Commission (NZ)

Analysis and expert testimony on the economic implications of alternative treatments of taxation in the assessment of gas pipeline regulation, before the High Court in Wellington.

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.

Water demand efficiency

Ministry for the Environment (NZ)

An analysis of the costs and benefits of a system of water efficiency labelling of products.

Water Efficiency Labelling.pdf