Willem Crowhurst

“I’m a senior analyst at Castalia Advisors, a New Zealand-based economic and strategic consultancy. We advise private sector clients, governments, and international financing institutions in both developed and emerging economies across Asia and the Pacific.

“My work is project-based, primarily focusing on the telecommunications, transport and energy sectors in New Zealand and the Pacific. As a senior analyst, I lead analytical work, engage directly with clients and manage resources for projects. The type of work varies a lot. Some projects are advising regulators or regulated businesses, some are developing feasibility studies for new infrastructure projects, others are advising on policy or sector reform. Most projects are related to infrastructure, natural resources or social service provision.

“For example, I’m currently managing a project to expand fibre broadband internet into rural and underserved areas in Indonesia. The project aims to develop a business case identifying the most viable areas in terms of practicality, commercial feasibility and economic impact.

“The most inspiring aspect of my job is that I’m solving complex problems that directly impact people’s lives. Much of my work takes place in developing economies, where essential services like water, electricity and telecommunication are often lacking. For example, the Solomon Islands has among the highest electricity prices in the world, despite very low incomes. To address this, I helped to design a new electricity sector structure and national electrification plan aimed at expanding electricity coverage and reducing costs, primarily through the use of renewable energy.”

“I wanted a degree that would distinguish me from other graduates and open up advanced job opportunities. The types of jobs that I was interested in often required a masters degree as a minimum qualification.

“The University of Auckland was a natural choice, since I did my Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Finance here. Compared to other NZ universities, the University of Auckland Economics department ranks quite highly.”

“My research explored how the benefits of increased business and economic activity in cities – known as agglomeration benefits – change when urban density increases and public transport improves. Essentially, this was looking at what happens to average wages, productivity, tax revenue and congestion if a city became more dense, and then how that changes again if improvements are made to public transport systems.

“I have always been interested in cities, so research in urban economics felt like a natural choice for my dissertation. My research was at a time when house prices were starting to increase rapidly and there was public debate about whether New Zealand cities should continue to expand suburbs outwards or build upwards in existing inner-city suburbs, so it felt quite relevant at the time.”

“The MCom in Economics gave me a much deeper understanding of economic principles. During the programme, I learned how to approach problems conceptually, rather than simply solving them. This skill has been invaluable in my career, where I am often assigned projects on short notice, with little background knowledge of the industry or problem. I need to quickly assess the core issues and apply economic principles to develop solutions.

“With my urban economics research specifically, this has given me a solid foundation of urban economic principles that I can apply to transport projects and cost benefit analysis on urban developments.”

“For me, the best part was the small class sizes, engaged lecturers, and a great cohort. The relationships I built with both lecturers and fellow students at the postgraduate level were far more meaningful than at the undergraduate level. It was reassuring to know that every other student in the class was there because they had a genuine interest in the subject.”

“Consider whether postgraduate study aligns with your career aspirations. Many exciting and rewarding career opportunities are only available with advanced qualifications. Postgraduate study may be the difference between finding a career that you enjoy, and finding one that you love. I took time out of my previous career to retrain when I wasn’t satisfied with it. Now I have a career that I love.”