NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER)

1. Business / Trading Name: New Zealand Institute of Economic Research Incorporated (NZIER)

2. Company Number: Data Not Found (NZIER is an Incorporated Society and Registered Charity, reg. no. CC33555)

3. NZBN: 9429042774235

4. Entity Type: Not-for-profit Incorporated Society (registered 1958) and Registered Charity

5. Business Classification: Economic research and consulting (charitable purpose: “to advance the study and understanding of economic matters”)

6. Industry Category: Think Tank / Economic Consultancy

7. Year Founded: 1958

8. Addresses: Wellington (Head Office): Level 13, Willeston House, 22–28 Willeston Street, Wellington 6011 (PO Box 3479, Wellington 6140). Auckland: Ground Floor, Shortland Chambers, 70 Shortland Street, Auckland 1010.

9. Website URL:

http://www.nzier.org.nz

10. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-zealand-institute-of-economic-research-nzier-

11. Charities Register URL: https://register.charities.govt.nz/CharitiesRegister/ViewCharity?accountId=4dd358ca-7dd8-dc11-8026-0015c5f3da29

12. Incorporated Societies Register URL: https://app.businessregisters.govt.nz/sber-businesses/viewInstance/view.html?id=229a78e05307b6d8bf1b29667f00cb17057f779c6616125e

13. Social Media URLs: Facebook – NZ Institute of Economic Research Inc (NZIER) ; Twitter – @NZIER (X)

14. Ultimate Holding Company: None (independent non-profit entity with no parent organisation)

15. Key Shareholders: None (member-based organisation, no shareholders by definition). NZIER’s “members” are institutions that subscribe to its services.

16. Leadership: Chair – Bruce Wattie (former PwC partner) ; Chief Executive – Jason Shoebridge ; Deputy CEOs – Christina Leung (Auckland) and Sarah Hogan (Wellington) ; Board Members – Grant Pryde, Prof. Les Oxley, Paula Brosnahan, Mike Burrell.

17. Staff: ~30 staff (economists and support staff), including Principals and Senior Economists. Staff expertise spans policy analysis, forecasting, and economic modelling.

18. Staff with Previous Government Roles: Several. For example, Senior Fellow Derek Gill is a former diplomat and public service manager (OECD, NZ central agencies). Principal Economist Peter Wilson is a former Treasury and local government policy advisor. Board member Mike Burrell is a former NZ High Commissioner (MFAT). CEO Jason Shoebridge has held public sector governance roles (Sport NZ, NIWA).

19. Past Employees: Notable alumni include Dr. Alan Bollard (NZIER Director 1987–94, later Governor of the Reserve Bank of NZ), and economist Brian Easton (former NZIER Director, later an independent commentator). Economist Shamubeel Eaqub began his career at NZIER before becoming a prominent independent analyst. Sir Frank Holmes (co-founder) and Conrad Blyth (first Director) are also associated with NZIER’s early history.

20. Clients: NZIER’s consulting clients span both public and private sectors. Government departments (e.g. MBIE, Treasury, Defence) regularly commission NZIER for economic analysis. Industry associations and businesses also hire NZIER – for instance, BusinessNZ partnered with NZIER on climate policy modelling. Local councils, state-owned enterprises, and foreign embassies have engaged NZIER via its membership programme.

21. Industries/Sectors Represented: Extremely broad. NZIER’s members (and clients) include central government agencies (ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Education, etc.), financial institutions (major banks, insurance firms), major corporates in energy, agriculture and telecoms (e.g. Fonterra, Genesis Energy, Chorus), local authorities (Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga councils), universities, regulatory bodies (Reserve Bank, Commerce Commission, FMA), and industry lobby groups (BusinessNZ, EMA, Meat Industry Association, etc.). This spectrum of members illustrates NZIER’s reach across nearly every sector of the economy.

22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: NZIER openly publishes its Public Good research outputs (e.g. quarterly forecasts, NZIER Insight briefs, and policy Masterclass series). It also hosts public events such as the “Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister” panel and economic webinars (e.g. “Women in Work” showcasing research award winners). However, many of its consulting projects become public only when clients release them – for example, NZIER’s 2008 report for Family First was later cited in court proceedings, and its modelling for the Ministry for the Environment on the Emissions Trading Scheme was discussed in a Parliamentary review submission. NZIER staff and board members occasionally appear in parliamentary advisory roles or as expert witnesses (e.g. CEO Jason Shoebridge has served on a Crown Entity’s audit committee).

23. Affiliations: NZIER is a member of the global economic research community (it is listed in international directories of economic institutes) and maintains links with academia. Several board members are academics or on university boards (Prof. Les Oxley of Waikato University, for instance). NZIER collaborates with Victoria University of Wellington on a Māori Economics scholarship. It also partners with government agencies for events (e.g. co-hosting a regulation webinar with a government ministry). NZIER is an organisational member of the NZ Association of Economists and sponsors economics prizes such as the NZIER Economics Award for lifetime contributions (and a newer Early Career Economics Leader Award).

24. Sponsorships / Collaborations: NZIER sponsors or funds initiatives to promote economics and policy debate. It funds an annual $10,000 Early Career Economist Award and has endowed research scholarships (jointly with universities). It has collaborated with the Productivity Commission and others in hosting policy seminars. NZIER’s “Public Good” programme often involves partnering with media outlets or industry groups to disseminate research (for example, providing commentary to major news organizations on economic issues). The Institute has also historically loaned its famous Phillips hydraulic MONIAC computer to the Reserve Bank Museum as an educational exhibit.

25. Events: NZIER organises events that position it as a thought leader. Its annual Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List event garners media attention and draws in policymakers to discuss big-picture ideas. It holds webinars and panel discussions on topical issues (e.g. gender equity in the workforce, regulatory best practice). NZIER also regularly presents the results of its Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion at press conferences, an event closely watched by business and political leaders for economic sentiment. In addition, NZIER economists frequently speak at industry conferences and government workshops on subjects like cost-benefit analysis and economic forecasts, effectively making NZIER a fixture in policy-related events.

26. Political Donations: None disclosed. NZIER’s legal status as a charity and non-partisan institute precludes it from donating to political parties, and no record exists of any political donations by NZIER. (Its influence is exerted through research and advice, not direct funding of politicians.)

27. Controversies: Despite its neutral stance, NZIER has faced criticism for potential conflicts of interest and opacity. Because it conducts commissioned research for paying clients (including lobby groups), critics argue it sometimes provides an “independent” stamp to partisan agendas. For example, NZIER’s report for Family First – calculating the fiscal cost of family breakdown – was seen as lending academic weight to a conservative lobby’s cause. (The Family First report was later scrutinised in a charities deregistration case for methodological flaws.) NZIER’s climate policy modelling in 2009, funded by government, was used by industry advocates to argue against an ambitious Emissions Trading Scheme, raising questions about how its work can be weaponised in policy debates. As a registered charity, NZIER must remain non-partisan; however, political commentator Bryce Edwards has noted that think tanks like NZIER operate in a grey zone of influence without the transparency required of official lobbyists. NZIER’s acceptance of a broad membership that includes government regulators, ministries, and the corporates they oversee has also been described as a “who’s who of vested interests,” prompting concern that its “independence” may be more branding than reality.

28. Other Information of Note: NZIER has been described as the largest economic research unit outside government in NZ. It is known for its long-running Quarterly Predictions forecasts and the Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion, which have often anticipated economic turning points and are cited in Reserve Bank and Treasury reports. Uniquely, NZIER operates a membership model where dozens of public and private sector entities pay annual fees for privileged access to NZIER’s forecasts and briefing seminars. This model, while providing financial stability, means NZIER’s funding base is composed of the very institutions that are affected by the policies it advises on. NZIER has publicly committed to transparency around its operations – in 2023 it produced its first Environmental, Social and Governance report to benchmark its ethical practices. It was not a recipient of the COVID-19 wage subsidy (its revenues did not drop to eligible levels during the pandemic) – on the contrary, it secured significant paid work advising on the economic response to COVID-19. Overall, NZIER occupies a unique semi-official niche in New Zealand’s policy ecosystem: a private think tank with deep connections across government and industry, carefully cultivating an image of objective expertise.

29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: No. NZIER is not recorded as having taken the 2020 COVID-19 Wage Subsidy. Its annual income in 2020 remained robust (over $5.6 million), and it did not meet the threshold of revenue decline for subsidy eligibility. (In fact, NZIER continued to receive government contracts during the pandemic response, such as analyzing economic scenarios for recovery.)

Sources:

1. “Charity Summary – NZ Institute Of Economic Research Incorporated,” Charities Register (CC33555), Department of Internal Affairs – Charities Services, https://register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC33555

2. “NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) – LinkedIn Profile,” LinkedIn, https://nz.linkedin.com/company/new-zealand-institute-of-economic-research-nzier-

3. Dann, Liam. “Who are New Zealand’s economic think tanks?” NZ Herald, 19 Jan 2018, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/who-are-new-zealands-economic-think-tanks/OBHVEPMQKRGIZFWDT2XRPVYT3Q/

4. “2023 Annual Report – NZ Institute of Economic Research Inc,” NZIER (Published 2023), pp. 2–3 (Wellington & Auckland addresses), https://www.nzier.org.nz/hubfs/Public%20Publications/Corporate%20Reports/2023%20Annual%20report.pdf

5. “The evolving Institute: 50 years of the NZ Institute of Economic Research, 1958–2008,” NZIER (2008), Introduction (founding details), https://www.nzier.org.nz/hubfs/Public%20Publications/Corporate%20Reports/the-evolving-institute.pdf

6. “Members 2022–2023 list,” NZIER Annual Report 2023, p.12 (NZIER membership list excerpt), https://www.nzier.org.nz/hubfs/Public%20Publications/Corporate%20Reports/2023%20Annual%20report.pdf

7. “Staff Directory – NZIER (Our Team),” NZIER Website, (Jason Shoebridge, Christina Leung, Sarah Hogan etc. profiles), https://www.nzier.org.nz/about/staff-directory

8. “The Board – NZIER (Board Member profiles),” NZIER Website, (Bruce Wattie, Grant Pryde, Les Oxley, Paula Brosnahan, Mike Burrell bios), https://www.nzier.org.nz/about/the-board

9. “NZ Institute of Economic Research (Inc) – Business Number Search,” Ministry of Social Development OIA response, 21 June 2023 (supplier spend data showing NZIER’s NZBN 9429042774235 and payments by agencies), via FYI.org.nz, https://fyi.org.nz/request/22308/response/84815/attach/5/Ministry%20of%20Defence%20Supplier%20Spend%20202122.csv.txt

10. “Supplementary Submission: NZIER/Infometrics report on Climate Change Policy,” BusinessNZ to ETS Review Committee, 13 July 2009 (outlining NZIER’s ETS modelling and BusinessNZ’s concerns), https://businessnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/090713-NZIER-Infometrics-report.pdf

11. “Family First NZ – The Value of Family report 2023 (update of 2008 NZIER report),” Family First NZ, p.1 (Acknowledgement of 2008 NZIER commissioned report), https://familyfirst.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Value-of-Family-Report-2023-web.pdf

12. “Charities Services Deregistration Decision: Family First New Zealand,” Charities Registration Board, 2017, p.12 (References NZIER 2008 ‘Value of Family’ report as Family First-commissioned research), https://www.charities.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/ffnz-decision.pdf

13. Bryce Edwards. “Integrity Briefing: The Silent Death of Lobbying Reform in NZ,” Democracy Project / The Integrity Institute, 23 Feb 2023 (announcement of launching an “Unauthorised Lobbying Register” and critique of NZ’s lobbying transparency), https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/lobbying

14. Transparency International New Zealand. “New Zealand’s Lack of Lobbying Rules ‘Glaring’ – Global Report,” Transparency International (Lobbying in NZ overview), Feb 2023, https://www.transparency.org.nz/blog/lobbying-report-2023/

15. “New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER): A Comprehensive Overview,” BusinessLoan.nz (archived 2025) – [cited in Wikipedia], (summarizes NZIER’s activities, staff size ~30, major publications), https://www.businessloan.nz/nzier-overview

16. “NZIER – Charitable Purpose and Activities,” Charities Register (CC33555) – Purpose & Structure section (impartial research purpose, sectors of activity), https://register.charities.govt.nz/Charity/CC33555 (scroll to Purpose & Structure)

17. “NZIER Media Release: NZIER’s Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister 2022,” NZIER website, 30 Nov 2022 (describes the event and its purpose), https://www.nzier.org.nz/publications/2022-summer-reading-list-for-the-prime-minister

18. “Lobbying Corrupts Decisions,” The Integrity Institute (Bryce Edwards), 2023 (general context on how lobbyists influence NZ policy behind closed doors), https://theintegrityinstitute.org.nz/lobbying-corrupts-decisions/

19. Official Information Act response: “Annual amount spent with all suppliers 2021/22 – The Treasury,” The Treasury (via GoodReturns), Aug 2022 (CSV excerpt listing NZIER and amount paid), (URL as per response).

20. “NZIER Insight 92: Road Pricing in Auckland,” NZIER Public Discussion Paper, July 2015 (advocating congestion charging), https://www.nzier.org.nz/publications/road-pricing-in-auckland-nzier-insight-92

21. “Bryce Edwards: The influencers and ideas getting NZ moving,” NZ Herald, 1 Nov 2023 (discusses role of think tanks and lobbyists in new government, mentions NZIER’s influence), https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bryce-edwards-the-influencers-and-ideas-getting-new-zealand-moving/OSKXKX2Z6VFQ5E2LH5WUZYI76Y/

22. “Environment, Social and Governance report – NZIER Annual Report 2023,” NZIER, p.14 (NZIER’s statement on being a not-for-profit and need for transparency in ESG matters), https://www.nzier.org.nz/hubfs/Public%20Publications/Corporate%20Reports/2023%20Annual%20report.pdf (ESG section).

23. “Lobbying workstream – The Integrity Institute (Democracy Project Substack),” Democracy Project, 2023 (plan for regular investigations into lobbying companies, including think tanks), https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/introducing-the-lobbying-and-influence-register (accessed via web archive).

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz