Better decisions.
Better outcomes.
We help clients make better strategy, policy and investment decisions in the climate, waste and resource efficiency sectors.
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Our purpose
We partner with organisations across the private, public, and non-profit sectors to deliver transformational outcomes. By maximising the impact of community and business investments, we contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving Aotearoa New Zealand.
In case you are wondering about the name, Versity comes from the Latin word 'versus' meaning 'to turn'. To us, Versity stands for the shift in thinking we need to solve today's most challenging social and environmental issues.
Our services & offers
We want our clients to get the most from their policies, programmes and investments. Our service offering is framed around four interconnected pillars:
Research & Insights
We undertake research, policy and business analysis, including feasibility studies, investment scrutiny, and resource recovery business case development
Strategy & Development
We facilitate and co-create business and organisational strategies, with emphasis on ESG factors; & develop effective policies, programmes, and partnerships
Implementation & Delivery
We provide government relations advice and advocacy; assistance with funding applications; & project and programme management
Evaluation & Review
We develop outcomes and performance frameworks & conduct assessment aimed at driving improvement, generating insights, and maximising impact through compelling storytelling
Our work
Examples of our projects & client work
Business case development
We've supported the development of Business Cases for organics processing facilities and for a range of resource recovery infrastructure. We have also supported clients with options assessment, due diligence and feasibility research.
Recent clients: Te Tahua O Rangitāne; Auckland Council; EnviroNZ Ltd; Wānaka Wastebusters; Gisborne Holdings Limited
Waste minimisation strategies & plans
We have worked with a range of clients on Waste Management & Minimisation Plans (WMMPs), including feasibility studies, and development of bespoke strategies for optimising resource recovery and waste service options.
Recent clients: Gisborne District Council, Auckland Council, Tauranga District Council
Outcomes & evaluation projects
We have led outcomes framework development and both process and impact evaluation for clients. Our mixed-methods approach includes Social Return on Investment, cost-benefit analysis and value for money reviews.
Recent clients: Tauranga City Council, Auckland Council, Zero Waste Network
Funding & advocacy
We work with clients on strategic positioning, advocacy strategies, business cases, and applications for funding. An important part of this work is supporting clients with demonstrating their solution, providing evidence of impact, and stress testing their commercial, and economic case.
Recent clients: Greencycle Ltd; Echo Tech Ltd; WasteMINZ TAO Forum, Zero Waste Tāmaki Makaurau Trust, and Waste & Recycling Industry Association
What we believe
Investment decisions are being made every day, on well-intended plans, products, policies and programmes aimed at making the world a better place.
Many initiatives fall short. Why? Often, outcomes are vague, strategies misaligned, research insufficient, or resources and capability lacking. Sometimes good programs haven't told their story, leaving their success unproven. Have you faced these challenges?
We have—and we're here to help.
How we work
Clients at the heart
We work in partnership with our clients. The better we understand you, your organisation and your issues, the more we can help.
Keep it simple
Practical, tailored and fit for purpose solutions, with no academic or consulting jargon. Simple also means phased approaches that reduce your cost and risk.
Capability raising is key
We equip you with the knowledge, attitudes and skills your team needs to sustain positive change.
Actionable insights
We provide you with a set of actionable insights and an execution roadmap to prioritise the next steps.
We are inclusive
We value people's differences and encourage diversity of thought and action. We respectfully listen, learn and collaborate to empower those who partner with us.
Who we are
The practice is led by Michelle Kazor and Joanne McGregor. Together we bring senior leadership, industry and consulting experience across corporate, local and central government and non-profit sectors.
Michelle Kazor
MSES; BA Director & Consultant
Michelle is the founder of Versity, with over fifteen years' consulting experience across corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. She focuses on strategy, policy, service design and investment advisory, working at the intersection of public purpose and practical delivery.
Previously a Director at the Ministry for the Environment, she oversaw significant public investment in waste infrastructure and product stewardship initiatives. In addition to her consulting practice, she is a member of the national Waste Advisory Board and is on the Board of the Trust for Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants, an accredited product stewardship organisation.
Michelle works with clients to design practical, investable solutions that deliver long-term environmental and economic outcomes.
Joanne McGregor
MEng; BCEng Director & Consultant
Joanne brings an engineering and operational background in the waste sector, providing practical insights to support policy development and investment decisions. Her recent roles include serving as a WMF Senior Investment Manager and the New Zealand lead for a multi-national waste advisory team.
Familiar with a wide range of waste activities, she has particular expertise in organic waste management, via composting or anaerobic digestion. Her experience includes managing an international team's verification of the Ecogas Reporoa facility and a detailed condition and performance review of New Zealand's largest MRF.
Joanne is highly proficient in managing waste and climate data, and supports clients with actionable research, technical due diligence, feasibility reviews, project development, and resource recovery business cases.
