Kel Sanderson, Director

Kel has worked at BERL or through BERL in developing country postings most of the time since 1970.  Since returning to New Zealand in 1984 he has completed a wide range of research projects as well as developing some major interests in resource valuation, pricing, governance and management, and in strategies for integrated regional and community development.  He has an ongoing interest in the economics of transport, education, and fun things like wine, stadiums, airports and sport and recreation.

Some of the major projects he has driven lately are the economic and other impacts of ceasing sustainable harvest from the West Coast forests; the economic impacts of the release of GMOs; and regional development strategies with Nelson-Tasman and West Coast regions.  As well he does a range of projects for private and public sector clients on economic impacts of transport and infrastructure, sport and other facilities, and on integrated industry development.

His strength is in sound analysis within the big picture, and practical application to policy issues and development in industries, regions, and fun things.

Contact Details
Phone: +64 4 931 9212
e-mail: click here
View Kel's CV here - PDF format

Dr Ganesh Nana, Chief Economist

Ganesh is a modelling, data and forecasting specialist. He brings an understanding of the macro economy to the BERL team along with extensive knowledge of the relationships between industries and sectors that together make up the New Zealand economy.

Despite his passion for numbers, Ganesh’s approach to economics is firstly and foremost people-based. According to him, economics is about people. It is about their jobs, their incomes, their opportunities, and their futures. He strongly believes robust economic analysis is critical to ensure informed choices and policy decisions are made to ensure a positive difference to the life and prospects of New Zealanders.

Ganesh has 25 years of experience in the field of economics since first working as a researcher at Victoria University and participating in contract project work for BERL in 1983. He has accumulated skills in modelling and analysis, combining both robust methodology with practical insights and common sense. His experience has included a variety of contract project work for BERL, research, tutoring and lecturing at Victoria University, as well as macroeconomic policy analysis and forecasting during a four-year stint in the UK using the IMF Multimod model.

In his role as editor of BERL Forecasts he has been responsible for BERL’s regular monitoring and assessments of the situation and prospects for the New Zealand economy. BERL Forecasts remains one of the most respected independent forecasting publications in New Zealand. Indeed, BERL Forecasts was ranked first in a Treasury analysis of the accuracy of forecasts for GDP over the 1996 to 2005 period.

But, before economics (and numbers), Ganesh regards cricket as his first passion, and also maintains an intense interest in rugby.

Contact Details
Phone: +64 4 931 9206
e-mail: click here
View Ganesh's CV here - PDF format

Jason Leung-Wai

Jason joined BERL in May 2003 after seven years with the Ministry of Economic Development.  His key areas of interest are in regional and industry development and policy.  His work at BERL has focused around regional and economic development.

Jason has an excellent theoretical and working understanding of the issues facing businesses and regions in achieving growth.  Jason has a Masters degree in economics as well as a bachelor degree in finance, both from Massey University.

Contact Details
Phone:+64 4 931 9208
e-mail: click here
View Jason's CV here - PDF format or his weblog here

Adrian Slack

Adrian started with BERL as a specialist contributor to the BERL Forecasts in 2004 and joined the team as an Economist in 2006.

Recent BERL projects include measuring the social costs and injury costs of harmful drug use in New Zealand, an economic impact assessment for a provincial council of hosting 2011 Rugby World Cup events, and investigating the impacts of recent changes and trends in the liquor market. Adrian has also worked on regional profiles, labour market projections, and statistical analyses of health and financial data.

Adrian is also a Teaching Fellow with the School of Economics and Finance, and is researching the incentive effects of the Crown Health Enterprise (public hospital) reforms during the mid-1990s. Previously, he worked with the Health Funding Authority as an analyst and at the Health Services Research Centre (HSRC) on health economics projects.

Adrian is interested in game theory and the economics of organisations. He enjoys all stages of economic research, from framing key issues with clients through to communicating the results.

Contact Details
Phone: +64 4 931 9214
Email: click here
View Adrian's CV here - PDF format

David Norman

David joined BERL in January 2007 after living in Taiwan and China for the previous seven years, where he worked in the Education industry. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Genetics, he developed an interest in something totally different – Economics. This led to another degree, this time in Economics and Mandarin Chinese, studied while working overseas.

Contact Details
Phone: +64 4 931 9220
Email: click here
View David's CV here - PDF format

Fiona Stokes

Fiona joined BERL in January 2007, having previous worked as an editor and researcher for Careers Services rapuara. Fiona’s experience at Career Services rapuara involved researching the labour market, as well as occupation and industry information for the Career Services website. While she is particularly interested in the labour market, Fiona’s current research focuses on a wide range of issues such as industry skill shortages, infrastructure, and sustainable development.

When she isn’t participating in the labour force, Fiona is participating in outdoor activities such as running, rock climbing, road cycling and mountain biking, tramping, swimming, and skiing.

Contact Details
Phone: +64 4 931 9210
Email: click here
View Fiona's CV here - PDF format

Michael Webster

Michael began in BERL during May 2008, following a six-year stint at Statistics New Zealand. During his time in Stats, he worked in a number of projects, including the development and compilation of the Producers’ Price Index (PPI), Labour Cost Index (LCI), and Overseas Trade Price Index (OTI). Michael has also worked in the development of New Zealand’s first Not for Profit Institutions account.

Michael’s research interests include the housing and labour markets. Michael enjoys innovation and systems development, where he can best utilise his dual computer science and economics background.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys the rather disparate activities of computer gaming and Latin American dancing.

Contact Details

Phone: +64 4 931 9204
Email: click here
View Michael's CV here - PDF format

Amanda Lynn

General Manager

Contact Details
Phone: +64 4 931 9218
e-mail: click here