The cost of consenting infrastructure projects in New Zealand

Te Waihanga / New Zealand Infrastructure Commission has published Sapere’s landmark study into the costs of consenting infrastructure projects under the Resource Management Act (RMA), a project that involved undertaking interviews and financial analysis on 186 infrastructure projects and international benchmarking. Our team’s conclusions? The RMA imposes significant costs on infrastructure developers (a median 5.5%

Dr Veronica Jacobsen joins Sapere

Sapere Research Group is delighted to welcome Dr Veronica Jacobsen as a Director, to our growing Wellington team. Veronica recently stepped down from a distinguished career in the NZ public service, most recently as Policy Director at the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE). She has previously held senior roles at the NZ Treasury,

Sapere Forensic partner of “Arbitration in the new normal” conference

Sapere Forensic was a proud partner of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration / CIArb Australia International Arbitration Conference, “Bridging the distance: Arbitration in the new normal”. Read more about our international arbitration services: https://srgexpert.com/our-services/international-arbitration/ Read more about our forensic accounting services: https://srgexpert.com/our-services/forensic-accounting-damages/

Sapere Forensic expands team with international appointment

August 2020 – Sapere Forensic welcomes James Searby to our Australian practice. James has extensive experience assessing complex damages in high-value international arbitration and litigation cases, including alleged expropriation, breach of contract, patent infringement and shareholder disputes. He has previously worked for LECG and FTI Consulting, where he led their International Arbitration practice in the

Tribute to Jo Esplin

Sapere directors and staff are deeply saddened by the recent death of our colleague and friend, Jo Esplin. Jo joined Sapere in 2012, and in her role as Principal Consultant she worked in the areas of health care, disability support services and the health of older people. While Jo was known for her work with

Sapere analysis demonstrates benefits of wilding pine programme

18 May 2020 – Wilding conifers are a serious pest in New Zealand. They reduce the productivity of primary industries and damage the environmental values that New Zealand is renowned for. They have the potential to cost the New Zealand economy billions of dollars if their spread is not dealt with. In 2018, Sapere was

We are here. We can help.

The Sapere team is ready to help with analysis and decision-making support during this challenging period. We are available by email, phone and video conference. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if there is anything we can assist with. Above all, we hope that you and your families are safe and well.

Sapere expert presents at ocean finance conference

15 Nov 2019: Sally Wyatt, a Principal at Sapere, presented yesterday at the Pacific Ocean Finance Conference in Fiji. Ocean finance is generating, investing, aligning and accounting for private investments in ocean health. The conference brought together global conservation investment experts with Pacific voices.  The conference participants exchanged experiences, new ideas, and research in all aspects

What new whistleblowing laws mean for HR

June 2019 – Amended whistleblower laws come into effect in Australia on 1 July. In this article for the Australian HR Institute, Gary Gill, Head of Investigations at Sapere Forensic, looks at what they mean for HR professionals.   Reproduced with permission.

Sapere contracted to evaluate environmental taxes in the Pacific

15 February 2019 – Sapere researchers have recently embarked on a project to evaluate taxes and subsidies that affect the health of the Pacific Ocean. This project, for the Forum Fisheries Agency (a division of the World Bank) will assess if and how government taxes and subsidies create economic incentives that are aligned with, or

Gary Gill joins Sapere Forensic

Sapere Forensic welcomes Gary Gill as Director and Head of Investigations, based in our Sydney office. Most recently, Gary was a partner and National Leader of the forensic practice at KPMG Australia. Prior to that, he was a partner at KPMG Canada, and led its Forensic practice in Vancouver. According to Tony Samuel, Managing Director

Nurofen Class Action update – Calculation of Individual Payments (January 2019)

10 January 2019 – Sapere has received a number of calls regarding the calculation of the Individual Payments.  Please note that the Individual Payments are not based on the estimated amount spent on the Nurofen Specific Pain Range. In accordance with paragraph 21 of the Settlement Scheme (being Schedule 1 to the Settlement Deed dated

Nurofen Class Action update – January 2019 Individual Payments (December 2018)

20 December 2018 – Sapere has received notice from the Respondent that there will be no further challenges to claims. In accordance with the Settlement Scheme (being Schedule 1 to the Settlement Deed dated 31 July 2017), the Individual Payments Schedule is being prepared, and requires authorising and agreement.  Thereafter, payments will be paid.  We

Vhari McWha named ‘Local Hero’

Sapere Research Group Director Vhari McWha was awarded a 2019 Local Hero medal at a presentation ceremony held recently in Wellington. The Local Hero award is part of the New Zealander of the Year Awards. The Kiwibank Local Hero award recognises those whose selflessness and determination has made a difference in the community. Vhari has

Nurofen Class Action update – additional challenged claims (October 2018)

15 October 2018 – Further to our previous update of 10 July 2018, Sapere has received notice from the Respondent challenging a number of additional claims. We are in the process of contacting these claimants and obtaining the Additional Documentation requested by the Respondent. We are bound by the Settlement Scheme (being Schedule 1 to

Nurofen Class Action update – incomplete claims and challenged claims (July 2018)

10 July 2018 – The settlement process has been significantly delayed due to the high number of claimants submitting incomplete claims. However, after seeking independent legal advice, Sapere is no longer accepting any completed claims, which were previously incomplete. In accordance with the Settlement Scheme, the Respondent has challenged a number of claims. Sapere is

The Wellington team welcomes Turbo the eBike

The Wellington team welcomes our newest member – Turbo, the eBike! Have you seen the Sapere team cycling around Wellington? We recently won “Bike up your business”, part of the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, which means we have the use of an eBike for a year from the fabulous people at Green Jersey Cycle Tours. She

Nurofen Class Action update – incomplete claims and challenged claims

18 May 2018 – We are continuing to process incomplete claims, which has taken longer than expected due to a number of issues. We have received notification of challenges to a number of claims and have been advised that further claims will be challenged. We are bound by the Settlement Scheme (being Schedule 1 to

Sapere contributes to New Zealand artificial intelligence research

Sapere Research Group is a research partner in the newly released report, Artificial Intelligence: Shaping a Future New Zealand. The report, the result of a year-long project and published by the New Zealand AI Forum, examines the AI landscape, and the potential social and economic impacts for New Zealand. Sapere Research Group provided the economic

Nurofen Class Action update – incomplete claims

A significant number of incomplete statutory declarations have been received. Following independent legal advice, Sapere has been advised to contact the individual claimants and request a supplementary statutory declaration. Under the Settlement Scheme (being Schedule 1 to the Settlement Deed dated 31 July 2017), payments cannot be made until all claims have been processed and

Nurofen Class Action update

The Parties agreed to extend the Registration Close Date from 20 January to 3 February 2018.  During this period a significant number of claims were received and require processing. Please note that no payments can be made until all claims have been processed and any challenged claims determined. For further information about the settlement process,

Patient survey – Evaluation of the Cancer Psychological and Social Support Initiative

Sapere experts published in BMC Oral Health journal

Sapere Research Group Managing Director David Moore and Managing Economist Matt Poynton have recently been published in the BMC Oral Health Journal. The article, “The costs and benefits of water fluoridation in NZ”, is based on research prepared for the Ministry of Health in 2015, which found that fluoridation of the water supply was highly

Risk management tool developed for electricity retailers

The Singapore Electricity Market Authority has released a risk management tool. This tool was developed by Sapere Research Group, working in collaboration with the EMA and electricity retailers. The tool and an accompanying primer provide retailers with an understanding of their financial resilience in adverse market conditions. It measures different financial ratios in each of

Toby Stevenson and Dr Stephen Batstone appointed to World Energy Council working groups

Sapere Research Group congratulates Directors Toby Stevenson and Dr Stephen Batstone on their appointments to World Energy Council working groups. Both appointments were nominated by the BusinessNZ Energy Council. Toby Stevenson is an economist with 30 years’ experience in strategic risk management mainly in the electricity industry. His work includes providing strategic advice to boards.

Sapere expands valuation services

Sapere Research Group is delighted to announce the appointment of John Farrant as a Director and leader of its Valuation practice. John’s practice focuses on the valuation of businesses, shares, intangible assets, debt and other securities across a range of industries. He is recognised as a Business Valuation Specialist by CA ANZ and specialises in

Strategic Services Plan for Dunedin Hospital redevelopment

The Southern Partnership Group has released the Strategic Services Plan, which is the first formal document completed as part of the redevelopment of Dunedin Hospital. “The Strategic Services Plan looks at Southern DHB’s future population and demographic forecasts, and considers challenges and potential solutions at a high level,” Southern Partnership Group Chair Andrew Blair says.

Rocket Report

Economic Impact Analysis of the development of a rocket industry in New Zealand This report looks at the nature and size of the economic opportunity for New Zealand presented by the development of a rocket launch industry in New Zealand. We were commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to undertake this analysis

Water Fluoridation CBA and Cabinet paper on changes to fluoridation decision-making

We estimated the benefits and costs of water fluoridation, in the New Zealand setting, for the Ministry of Health. This analysis was a large, complex assignment taking into account and integrating a large body of epidemiological evidence confirming the significant benefits of water fluoridation. We estimate the net savings from water fluoridation to be $1,401

Sapere – major contributor to the BusinessNZ Energy Council’s 2050 scenarios study

Sapere has been a major contributor to the BusinessNZ Energy Council’s just-published 2050 scenarios study. The report posits two alternative future energy paths for New Zealand which represent the outer bounds of a range of potential outcomes. The report is designed as an aid for long term government and business decision making The BEC is the first