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Auckland Council
Auckland Council
Auckland Council

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Tohutohu mātauranga ōhanga

Economic advice

What economic advice we offer

We advise elected members, executive leadership, and the public on a range of economic issues, including the economic costs and benefits to Aucklanders of policy and infrastructure proposals.

We help our staff and elected members become more capable and confident with economic issues through training in economic analysis.

Through our Auckland Economic Quarterly and Insights papers, we offer leadership guidance on a number of issues facing Auckland. These include housing, housing affordability, infrastructure, funding and finance, and skills shortage.

Meet the team

Email the Chief Economist Unit at chief.economist@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Chief Economist

Gary Blick

Gary Blick

Telephone number

Email addressgary.blick@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Biography

Gary is committed to evidence-based economic advice to help improve the liveability and prosperity of Auckland. He has 18 years of experience as an adviser, including at the Treasury, where he worked on fiscal strategy and health system funding.

As a consulting economist, Gary advised central and local government clients on policy trade-offs, including cost benefit analyses for new port infrastructure, rental housing standards, and streamlining RMA compliance.

Gary holds a BCA in Economics from Victoria University and a BA (Hons) in History and Human Geography from the University of Otago.

Originally from Murihiku, Gary enjoys the energy and diversity (and warmth) of Tāmaki Makaurau. Gary joined Auckland Council in October 2021.

Economist

Shyamal Maharaj

Shyamal Maharaj

Telephone number

Email addressshyamal.maharaj@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Biography

Born and raised in Auckland, Shyamal is passionate about using economics to influence better outcomes for Aucklanders.

He holds a B.Com Honours in Economics, a B.Com. in Accounting and Finance, and a B.A. in Economics and Politics from The University of Auckland. His areas of expertise are macroeconomics, behavioural economics, and applied econometrics.

Prior to joining Auckland Council in April 2019, Shyamal worked in strategy consulting where he used behavioural economics to produce strategy for SMEs and large corporates.

He's also worked as an economist for Westpac where he gained experience applying his skills in econometrics and macroeconomics.

​Reports

Publications

Email chief.economist@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your request to be added to the mailing list for any of our publications.

​Auckland Economic Quarterly

A quarterly update on Auckland's economic challenges and opportunities from our Chief Economist.

The update includes the latest economic indicators on unemployment, housing, migration and more.

Insights papers

​Auckland monthly snapshots

A monthly snapshot of the Auckland economy.

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