Infrastructure & Transport

Planning, Procuring and Delivering Infrastructure

We help our clients solve the complex problems they face in planning, procuring and delivering infrastructure.

Our experts have a detailed understanding of key infrastructure sectors, the challenges facing countries’ decarbonisation shifts, and the planning processes that developers and local authorities must navigate.

We offer financial and economic modelling expertise within the transport, energy, water, natural resources, telecommunications, civic infrastructure, and urban planning and development sectors.

We provide support in:

Developing legislative and policy settings
Planning, preparation and decision-making, including through business cases and cost-benefit analysis
Financing and procurement
Regulation and the efficient operation of infrastructure.

Developing legislative and policy settings

We provide advice to policymakers on the strategic infrastructure issues they are confronting and ensure planning and consenting processes are fit for purpose.

We are also a trusted source of advice on transitioning to a net zero economy.

Examples of our work developing legislation and policy include:

National cost-benefit analysis for the proposed move of the Port of Auckland out of Auckland City
Advice on developing low-carbon electricity systems, including both the economics of electrification and the use of hydrogen
Insights and cost modelling of the burden infrastructure developers face for consenting projects.

Planning, preparation and decision-making

Our skilled teams are regularly sought out by clients to assist in developing investment frameworks and providing support through complex decision-making processes.

We are experts at undertaking strategic assessments of investment options, demand and service forecasting, cost-benefit analysis and developing business cases.

Examples of our infrastructure planning work include:

Drafting the indicative and detailed business cases for the new Dunedin Hospital
Developing a financial and economic analysis for the final business case for a new creative industries precinct development in Sydney
Drafting a programme business case and single-stage business case for the Hillmorton Hospital campus redevelopment
Developing a cost-benefit analysis of an extension to the runway at Wellington International Airport
Drafting an investment case for new capital expenditure in intensive care and inpatient facilities to manage COVID-19 in an endemic state.

Financing and procurement

Our services include advice on governance and delivery structures, the use of public-private partnerships and financial planning.

Examples of our financing and procurement work include:

Advice on funding options for local authority infrastructure replacement
Developing an estimation formula for measuring the balance between private and public benefits
Advice on an infrastructure funding and financing model for private infrastructure finance sourcing
Valuation of public-private infrastructure partnership investments held by a superannuation fund.

Regulation and the efficient operation of infrastructure

A core part of what we do is to provide advice on the economic regulation of infrastructure services, including:

Pricing
Demand modelling
Funding and asset renewals
Emissions trading and reductions
Climate resilience and adaptation
Forecasting.

Examples of our infrastructure regulation work include:

Developing economic regulation models for fixed and mobile telecommunications infrastructure
Advice on efficient pricing and marginal costs of public transport
Pricing of airport and aeronautical services, including landing charges, terminal space, freight, baggage handling and car parking
Comprehensive pricing study of drinking water and wastewater services
Advice on seaport charges such as berthage, storage and stevedoring for existing and new purpose-built facilities.

Publications

Infrastructure consenting for climate
Cost of consenting infrastructure projects in New Zealand
Economic value of Ultra Fast Broadband in New Zealand
Business case for investment in low voltage network monitoring
Transitioning to zero net emissions by 2050
Review of the fiscal cost estimate of moving to averaging accounting for existing forests within the emissions trading scheme
The costs and benefits of an allocation of water to iwi.

Sapere’s economists are experts in comparative analysis and developing cost-benefit analysis of infrastructure projects that can withstand investor and public scrutiny.

Key contacts

David Moore

Managing Director
WELLINGTON
dmoore@thinkSapere.com

Mehrnaz Rohani

Previously a Principal at Sapere

Some of our recent articles of interest

Staff spotlight – Sue Friend

This month we spotlight Sue Friend, a Managing Director in our Forensics team. Sue shares her love of the outdoors and hiking and finds this brings balance to her work at Sapere.

Thinking about utility customer engagement

In this article Dr Richard Tooth examines developments in how regulated utilities engage with their customers, the problem of uninformed respondent bias and other issues.

Sunset review of the regulations for Victorian private health service establishments

Client: Victorian Department of Health

This report analyses proposed changes to Victoria's Health Service Establishment Regulations, focusing on improving clinical governance, safety, and quality. The RIS reviewed the impact of these changes and provided recommendations.

Staff spotlight – Dr Jamie O’Hare

This month, we spotlight Dr Jamie O'Hare, Managing Economist and proud new dad to baby Stirling, as he shares his professional insights and personal joys.

Distilling success for Victorian spirit exports

Client: Agriculture Victoria

The Australian craft distillery sector has grown significantly, with Victoria now having 188 distilleries. Sapere, commissioned by Agriculture Victoria, identified priority markets and developed market entry strategies for Victorian spirit exporters.

Staff spotlight – Jeremy Thorpe

Sapere welcomes Jeremy Thorpe, our new Director, recently featured in the Australian Financial Review. Kicking off our staff spotlight series, Jeremy generously shared fascinating insights into his career and background.

Unveiling the intrinsic value of nature

Explore the value of nature beyond its aesthetic appeal. Environmental valuation frameworks and techniques allow us to understand the economic value of nature and make informed decisions in environmental policy and management.

How can governments effectively assess and manage climate risk to ensure a sustainable future?

Client: Department of Treasury (Western Australia)

Sapere provided expert advice on the design of a Climate Risk Framework for the WA government, exploring options for a staged approach, and aligning with international standards for climate risk disclosure, to support Western Australia's climate resilience efforts.