Our team

Ganesh took up the position of Chair of the Productivity Commission in December 2020, after 22 years at the consultancy Business and Economics Research Limited (BERL). His work at BERL covered a broad range of projects, with a highlight being his work in strengthening relationships with Māori entities and organisations and building an understanding of te ōhanga Māori.

Prior to BERL, Ganesh acted as primary caregiver to his pre-school children while also employed as part-time lecturer at Victoria University. Before children, Ganesh managed to explore some parts of the world – including working in England as a researcher at the House of Commons gaining experience with IMF and OECD economic models. On his way home to Aotearoa he spent several months visiting family and ancestral lands across India.

Ganesh is a first-generation New Zealander, born, bred, and educated in Te Whanganui a Tara and his interest in economics originally emanated from his love of numbers, which in turn arose out of his passion for cricket. He is a current member of the Government established Welfare Expert Advisory Group.Ganesh and believes economics is fundamentally about people and is best reflected in our collective role as kaitiaki o taonga.

Bill was the Policy Director & Economist at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) for over 10 years. As Economist at the CTU, Bill was a regular commentator in the media, and before that held technical and management positions in computing and e-learning services at Lincoln and Canterbury Universities.

He has been a member of the of the Tertiary Education Commission Board between 2006 and 2011, a member of the Government’s Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety, a member of Statistics New Zealand’s Advisory Committee for independent review of the CPI, and a member of the current Government’s Tax Working Group.

Bill is currently a Senior Associate at Victoria University’s Institute for Governance and Policy Studies. His recent research interests have focused on labour, income distribution and health funding. Bill has also published on social welfare policy, overseas investment, international trade, and media ownership. He has active interests in the future of work, industry policy and active labour market policy.

Bill’s appointment as a Commissioner runs from 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2024.

Diane has a background in strategic operations and supply chain management, but today is a national tertiary education leader with a focus on Māori business and organisation and Indigenous business education.

She is a researcher with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (Māori Centre of Research Excellence), and has recently finished working with a Science for Innovation and Technology research theme (National Science Challenge).

Diane brings a human-centred, pragmatic approach to growth and productivity, and has an overall positive outlook for New Zealand’s near future.

Philip is an economist with over 20 years' experience of economic and social research in the university, independent and public sectors. He joined us from the Ministry of Education, where he was GM Analysis, Research & Evaluation | Po­­ārahi Wananga Matua. Prior to that he held a similar role at MBIE, as well as Manager and Chief Advisor of Economic Strategy in MBIE and MED­. Before coming to New Zealand, Philip was a Research Fellow at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in London.

Philip has published in leading peer-reviewed international journals on subjects such as: productivity analysis; employment; competition; evaluation; the measurement of performance in the public sector; broadband; R&D and human capital. He has a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Oxford, a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Leeds, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Public Policy from Leeds Metropolitan University (First Class).

Shelley joined the Productivity Commission in November 2021 and has a background in business and operations management with experience in both the tertiary and public sectors. Prior to joining the Commission, Shelley was at the New Zealand Defence Force where she managed business operations for military recruitment.

Shelley holds an MBA and a Master of Management from Massey University and is certified in Project and Change Management.

Catherine has a background in policy and strategy, with over 14 years’ experience working in and consulting to the public sector. Immediately prior to joining the Commission, Catherine was Head of Policy at FrankAdvice, where she led a range of policy consulting work across different areas including health, education, working conditions, pay equity and local government. Before that, Catherine led the strategic planning and performance function at Pharmac. 

Catherine holds a Masters in English Literature (first class Honours), Bachelors of Arts and of Business, Commerce and Administration, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Management, all from Victoria University of Wellington.

Julian is an applied labour economist with over 10 years’ experience in the public and independent sectors. Prior to joining the Commission, Julian was a Senior Researcher for an independent think tank where he focused on research into regional development, immigration and innovation policy.

Julian is fluent in Chinese and has entrepreneurial experience from helping to run a beef cattle farm in rural China for 5 years.

Julian holds a Master of Social Science (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Social Science (in economics and labour trade union studies) from the University of Waikato.