Commercial models for delivering social and economic benefits

Wellington City Council Social Housing

Public housing often involves a complex mix of social and financial objectives. We developed models to assess various redevelopment options for Wellington City Council’s $200m social housing portfolio. It allowed the Council to understand how different redevelopments met future social needs.

Formation of Council Controlled Property Operation

Hutt City Council had long believed that more commercial property operations could result in greater income and better community delivery. We worked with them to model a proposal for a commercial property operation, led this through public consultation and then worked to form the new entity. The result was a stand-alone council controlled property company, up and running within six months of the final Council decision.

Telecommunications Technology Road Map

New Zealand has great potential in some niche aspects of software technology but struggles with its isolation. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise wanted to promote an industry focused on open-standards based telecommunications software. We prepared a technology road map, which linked University training to industry needs and through to company export strategies. Part of the delivery was to work with leading technology company OpenCloud, whose open-standard operating systems is important in establishing competitive advantage for the country overall. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise funded us to work with OpenCloud to prepare a new business plan, which helped them to gain central government funding for their planned expansion.

Urban Design Initiatives

Urban design can be critical in engendering the way a business district develops and the firms that are attracted. We’ve worked with a range of local authorities on how to measure the benefits urban design has brought to a precinct, and the what characteristics are important to ensure private sector buy-in. On occasions we have even helped to negotiate with developers on major developments (such as the Old BNZ in Wellington) to get the best balance of commercial and social return.