NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Advisory Services Providing Robust and Innovative Solutions

Prime Consulting has supported New Zealand clients for more than three decades, delivering robust advisory services across government, industry and the private sector. Work in New Zealand spans biosecurity, animal welfare, forestry, food systems, public policy and investment analysis. This capability is strengthened through Nimmo-Bell & Associates, which became part of Prime Consulting in 2017 following a long standing strategic partnership. Nimmo-Bell provides financial, economic and investment advice using a range of well-proven methodologies and in-house frameworks.

‘Wool Unleashed’ Programme Review

‍W3: Wool Unleashed was a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) that aimed to drive change in the way New Zealand’s strong wool is produced, marketed and sold, for the benefit of the New Zealand economy.

Prime Consulting was contracted to review this PGP between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and New Zealand Merino (NZM).

The fine, soft type of merino used in premium apparel brands such as Allbirds and Icebreaker (about 18 microns) makes up just a small fraction of New Zealand’s total wool produced. More than 80 percent is 32 microns or coarser. This type of wool was traditionally used in upholstery or carpets but has been pushed out by synthetics.

W3 hoped to change this by promoting greater collaboration within the industry and encouraging the development of premium and “fit-for-market” strong wool products.

Nimmo-Bell & Associates, a division of the Prime Group, teamed up with Vantage Group to independently review and assess W3 against its objectives. The review was informed by interviews with key NZM and MPI staff, growers and brand partners and also included financial and market analysis.

Learn more

Examples of past work

- Ongoing governance and management supervision for a commercial forest operation in New Zealand for private offshore owners
- Business planning and management support for the setup of a blokarting (land sailing) business
- Business coaching and facilitation services for Airways Corporation, the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit (CCMAU), the Interisland Line and Hansells Ltd
- Facilitated business sector workshops for the ‘Seriously Asia’ programme run by the Asia 2000 Foundation in 2003
- Assisted the proprietor of a small New Zealand IT firm to grow the company, expand sales into Singapore and position for exit
- Conducted a feasibility study for a large-scale export food processing operation in New Zealand for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and a private offshore investor
- Developed an Animal Welfare Strategy for New Zealand Pork
- Researched drivers of animal welfare compliance in New Zealand for the Ministry for Primary Industries
- Conducted economic analysis and assisted with submission preparation on proposed animal welfare regulations for New Zealand Pork
- Economic analysis of proposed changes to import health standards for pork on behalf of New Zealand Pork in 2011
- Worked with the former New Zealand Dairy Board and four major research organisations to develop a framework for the economic evaluation of research and development projects

- A comprehensive review of New Zealand’s national biosecurity surveillance programmes, involving extensive cross agency consultation
- Development of an economic decision support tool for animal disease control
- Chaired a brucellosis technical advisory group for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
- Cost-benefit analysis of a proposed American Foulbrood (AFB) control programme for the apiary industry
- A pig movement study investigating biosecurity risks for the former Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
- Project management for the set-up of the Plants Market Access Council on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Horticulture New Zealand (2001–2003)
- Provided product development support for ICT tools HandiRisk and PDBGo! to the EpiCentre at Massey University
- Consulted on import health standards for processed chicken products for a private client
- Led the development of discussion papers on selected livestock feed supplements for New Zealand Food Safety
- Evaluation of a Biodiversity Facilitator pilot project for the Ministry for the Environment (2023–2024)
- Review of the Marbled Grass Fed Beef programme, a public private initiative focused on high value export markets
- Review of a collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries and New Zealand Merino aimed at transforming the strong wool sector
- End-of-programme reviews of several Ministry for Primary Industries initiatives:
  - Sheep Horizon 3 (Sheep Milk); 2022–2023
  - Pioneering to Precision (Fertiliser); 2022–2023
  - Lighter Wines; 2022

Regional strength through Nimmo-Bell

Significant experience in the Asia Pacific region is supported by our subsidiary, Nimmo Bell and Associates, which brings additional depth in economics, forestry, agriculture and investment analysis.

Learn more about Nimmo-Bell

Explore Prime Consulting’s work across the region: