Douglas Yee
Consultant, Sapere Research Group
Master of Business in Economics with Honours (First Class)
Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Economics
One of the things he enjoys most about being an economic consultant is being able to provide advice to the people who run the country, says business alumnus Douglas Yee who now works for Sapere Research Group, an economic consulting and advisory firm with offices in Australia and New Zealand.
“Many of our clients are public sector organisations like government departments, although we also have many private clients. I’ve done several pieces of work in health and climate, and am starting to become involved in the energy sector.
“The nature of our work includes cost-benefit analyses and business cases, economic evaluations, regulatory or policy reviews, and even expert-witness testimonies in court. I do research and find out what solutions will drive the best outcomes, and get to have a say in developing and influencing policy decisions.”
He enjoys the variety his work offers.
“Consulting offers a lot of independence with how you wish to work. If there’s a certain area I want to specialise in or gain more experience in, I’m encouraged to put my hand up. Similarly, if we come across an opportunity that piques our interest, we’re encouraged to pursue it and are offered resources to support us. Everybody at Sapere has a different skillset, and I tend to be involved with projects that involve large datasets. No two projects are the same, which means I’m constantly learning new things and refining my skillset. There’s a lot of responsibility which I wouldn’t have without the people who guided me to where I am today.”
Feeling inspired
Douglas, who grew up in Fiji, says his high school commerce teacher sparked his interest in accounting and economics, and inspired him to study these subjects at university. When the chance to study in New Zealand came up, he explored his university options and soon found himself at AUT.
“I chose AUT for the balance of theory and practical application, and AUT’s world-class lecturers made a lasting impression on me. Dr Pik Yi Lydia Cheung and Sean Kimpton, who taught our core economics courses, were captivating lecturers who further sparked my passion for the subject. Inspired by them, I pursued economics as a major. I also enjoyed the accounting component of my degree and found the accounting lecturers at AUT to be extremely engaging and knowledgeable, and appreciated the real-world experience many of them had.
“Any class with Professor Matthew Ryan was deeply inspiring. He had a way of explaining advanced microeconomic theory that made even the most complex concepts accessible. I remember pages filled with intricate algebra and calculus, and watching a clear answer emerge from that complexity was truly rewarding. These moments highlighted not only Matthew's exceptional teaching skills but also the perseverance we needed to tackle such a challenging subject.”
He says the opportunity to apply economics to a variety of sectors captivated him to pursue postgraduate study and saw him take on a Master of Business in Economics, using ACC data to research the impact of fatherhood on the prevalence of injury claims.
“When I moved into postgraduate study and began working with the New Zealand Policy Research Institute at AUT, I started to see my lecturers as not just teachers but as peers. AUT has this way of nurturing both academic and professional growth, and you really feel like they’re invested in helping you succeed.”
An enjoyable journey
Reflecting on his time at AUT he is struck by how each year had its own unique feel, says Douglas who is proud of being on the dean’s honour roll twice and being invited to join the Beta Gamma Sigma honours society.
“That really highlights what makes AUT special. In my first year, living at the City Campus student accommodation was a great way to start university life. I also built great friendships during class, which made all the difference as someone new to New Zealand adjusting to a new environment.
“My second and third years shifted to online learning due to the global COVID pandemic, and I returned home to Fiji. Honestly, I look back fondly on my study during these years – AUT made the transition seamless and really showed how resilient and student-focused the university is. I was quite lucky that I had made connections during my first year as we continued to collaborate online during this time. Online collaboration is something that didn’t go away after the various lockdowns, and in hindsight this period really prepared me well for collaboration in the modern workplace.”
He has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.
“My advice is to work hard and play hard. It’s good to devote a lot of energy to your studies and to work, but it’s also good to spend a lot of time with recreation and rest. AUT is full of opportunities for growth; both professionally and personally.”
