Thomas Benison

Thomas joined Motu Research in May 2022 after completing an Honours degree in Economics at the University of Auckland. His dissertation investigated the impact of large government debt on the effectiveness of government spending in New Zealand. Before this, he completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics and Finance, during which he spent one semester on exchange in London.

At Motu Research, Thomas has worked on a diverse range of topics including access to childcare, the relationship between arts and wellbeing, and urban water security. He is currently working with Dave Maré looking at ethnic wage gaps in New Zealand and the role of sorting into lower- and higher-paying firms.

In his spare time, Thomas likes playing football, painting, and sightseeing.