Improving Productivity Across New Zealand’s Infrastructure Sector
Our Purpose
Productivity in infrastructure is poorly understood and inconsistently measured. Billions are wasted because organisations can't see what's really driving performance or make evidence-based decisions to improve it.
We exist to change that. Since 2015, we've been building the data, tools, and methodologies to make productivity measurement a rigorous discipline—giving decision-makers the clarity they need to protect investment and drive real improvement.
What Makes Us Different
Truly Independent
We don't deliver projects, design solutions, or manage contracts. Our assessments are never compromised by commercial conflicts—we tell you what's really happening, not what suits our other business interests.
Built on Evidence
We've assembled the sector's most comprehensive productivity database, drawing on 30 years of infrastructure and construction performance data. Our insights are grounded in evidence, not opinion.
Proven Methodologies
We've developed standardised frameworks and tools that measure the commercial, governance, and operational factors driving performance. This allows meaningful comparison and reveals root causes others miss.
Specialist Network
We assemble teams of sector experts matched to each engagement's specific needs. You get senior, specialised expertise without the overhead of a traditional consultancy.
Efficient Delivery
Our stage-based planning system brings structure to complex, discovery-based work. Projects are set up efficiently, adapt as evidence emerges, and deliver actionable answers quickly.
Our Focus
We work exclusively with government agencies, funders, and delivery organisations on major infrastructure and construction programmes. Our clients need independent assessments of productivity, value for money, and delivery performance—where conflicts of interest aren't acceptable and evidence matters.
Advisory Board
We're supported by an advisory board that brings deep sector knowledge, financial expertise, and technical capability:
Neil Mason
Neil brings more than three decades of leadership across the transport, infrastructure, and engineering sectors in both New Zealand and the UK. Serving on multiple boards—including Vitruvius and the Lattey Group—he is known for his ability to translate complex challenges into clear strategic direction, guiding organisations with precision, discipline, and unwavering focus.
A Chartered Professional Engineer with 33 years’ industry experience, Neil blends technical expertise with governance acumen. He is recognised for steering organisations through strategy development, operational execution, and major project delivery, ensuring alignment between board oversight and real‑world outcomes. His governance experience spans high‑value commercial programs, public‑sector capital delivery, and multi‑stakeholder infrastructure initiatives.
Across the sector, Neil is regarded as a highly trusted leader—someone who brings strategic clarity, asks the right questions, and drives accountability. His career includes founding and growing Vitruvius into a successful 60‑person consultancy, overseeing governance for more than $500M in annual public‑sector capital investment, chairing major infrastructure governance groups, and acting as an independent adjudicator on contracts exceeding $400M.
With a reputation for calm determination and results‑driven leadership, Neil helps organisations set strong foundations, navigate risk, and achieve sustained performance. His blend of strategic foresight, engineering discipline, and people‑focused leadership makes him a powerful contributor to Balto’s Advisory Board.
Infrastructure Delivery Expert
Nick Harré
Currently Head of Product and Services at Spark New Zealand's Ubiquity platform, Nick has over 10 years of experience building data-driven B2B solutions—including as Product Owner at Mahi Construction Intelligence, where he developed SaaS tools for construction productivity.
He brings expertise in product strategy, analytics, and translating complex data into commercial value—ensuring Balto's tools and methodologies remain practical, scalable, and effective.
Data and Technology Expert
Former CEO of Hobson Wealth Partners and Head of Macquarie Private Wealth New Zealand, Laurence brings over 30 years of experience across investment management, infrastructure finance, and corporate law.
With a background spanning product financing at Man Investments, investment attraction at NZTE, and M&A legal work, he provides Balto with deep expertise in infrastructure investment, commercial structuring, and value-for-money assessment from an investor perspective.
Financial and Legal Expert