New Zealand kiwifruit export performance: Market analysis and revealed comparative advantage

This paper investigates the spectacular and successful growth of New Zealand kiwifruit production and exports between 1984 and 2009. It explores the evolution, current status, future prospects and challenges facing the industry where more than 90 percent of the output is exported. The study includes a statistical analysis of the production and consumption of kiwifruit in New Zealand and other countries, with a particular focus on Asia. The product life-cycle model is used to examine the pattern of evolution of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry while revealed comparative advantage methodology is used to determine whether New Zealand has a comparative advantage in kiwifruit. Finally, econometric analysis is employed to identify and test the strength of key determinants of kiwifruit exports. Empirical analysis suggests that domestic and trading partner incomes, market size and distance are key determinants of kiwifruit export performance

Energy and Agriculture in Australia and New Zealand: Politics, Prices and Economic Outcomes

Energy is a significant agricultural input in both Australia and New Zealand. Likewise agriculture in NZ Australia has the potential to produce significant energy sources - the extent to which depends on the price of competing energy sources - particularly oil. Higher energy prices, resulting in changes in land use in North America also have the potential to significantly impact the demand for, and prices received, for Australian and New Zealand agricultural commodities. This paper analyses recent statistics on agricultural energy consumption in both Australia and New Zealand and considers the relationship between energy prices and aggregate economic activity and economic activity in the farm and farm processing sector. It explores the impact of alternative energy price scenarios on Australian and NZ agriculture. It is informed by both CGE analysis of the NZ economy and results of international studies. The evolution of outcomes is sensitive to both global energy prices and the policy responses of the Australian and New Zealand Governments.Farm Management, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Maori/Non-Maori Income Gaps: Do Differences in Worker Mobility Play a Role?

We estimate a model of net migration between Regional Councils for three age cohorts to test whether or not there are significant Maori/non-Maori differences. We find little evidence of a statistically significant link between worker mobility and labor market conditions. Only in the case of the youngest individuals (20-24 years of age) do we find a significant wage response, and this wage response does not differ significantly between Maori and non-Maori. Unemployment is no case found to be significantly related to migration. We conclude from this that differences in worker mobility and attendant differences in the propensity to take advantage of spatially dispersed economic opportunities has limited potential for explaining Maori/non-Maori income differentials.Labor and Human Capital, J61, R11,

The economic value of biodiversity in New Zealand: Results from a household survey

This paper presents the results of a national study examining the economic value of biodiversity in New Zealand. Three valuation techniques were used to collect information from respondents: the contingent valuation method, the well-being method and the choice modelling method. Results revealed that respondents were familiar with the native plants and animals in their areas and valued them highly, therefore having a strong value for native biodiversity

HACCP/RMP Adoption in the New Zealand Meat Industry

In New Zealand, the Animal Products Act 1999 requires that all animal product primary processing businesses must have a risk management programme (RMP) based on the principles of Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). However, due to market access requirements, many primary food exporters have voluntarily adopted HACCP systems for food safety management since the 1990s. This paper studies the process of HACCP/RMP adoption and the transition from voluntary HACCP to mandatory RMP in New Zealand Meat Industry. The main issues explored are plants' motivations, implementation problems, costs and benefits associated with the implementation of HACCP/RMP. The paper concludes with implications for policy design and further research.HACCP/RMP implementation, HACCP/RMP benefits and costs, New Zealand Meat Industry, Agricultural and Food Policy,

Modelling Waikato Farm Nitrogen Discharges for Policy Analysis

This study describes the development of bio economic models examining the economic and water quality impact of various proposed policy options in the Upper Waikato catchment. In the first phase nitrogen emissions are determined for representative farming systems using the Overseer nutrient budget model. These model components are integrated into an economic model, which predicts producer responses to various policy options. The second phase determines catchment wide costs and water quality impacts of riparian buffers by combining geographic information system, bio economic modelling and experimental data. The results of the study signals directions for policy initiatives and further analysis exploring policy design and all costs associated with production adjustment.Riparian margins, Non point pollution, Nitrogen, Linear programming, and Environmental policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Health Economics and Policy, Industrial Organization, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

A Nonparametric Approach to The Analysis of HACCP/RMP Implementation Process

In this paper we conduct an analysis of the implementation of HACCP/RMP in the NZ Meat Industry based on the data collected from our recent survey. Nonparametric methods are used to measure the association between plant characteristics such as size, age, activities, and food safety management practices and HACCP/RMP adoption motivations, implementation problems, benefits, and costs. Results give insights into the ongoing process of mandatory RMP in New Zealand.HACCP/RMP implementation, New Zealand Meat Industry, nonparametric methods, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Abatement Cost Heterogeneity and its Impact on Tradable Nitrogen Discharge Permits

Nitrogen discharge into the Waikato River has been identified as the primary source of potential water quality degradation. Rising nitrogen levels in water are attributed to non point source pollution from agricultural activities. Pastoral farming is the predominant agricultural land use in the catchment. Increased nitrogen fertilizer use and higher stocking rates have the potential to increase the nitrogen loading into water. There is a range of best management practices and policies proposed to reduce nitrogen discharge from farming systems. Water quality trading is a policy tool that could improve the cost effectiveness of achieving environmental goals. Economic theory suggests that tradable pollution permit systems encourage polluters to reallocate pollution burdens to take advantage of any differences in marginal abatement costs. This paper develops an analytical frame work to derive nitrogen abatement costs for farms in a Waikato river sub-catchment. Policies and practices are evaluated using a bio-economic model of a typical pastoral farm in the Waikato river sub-catchment. Implications of pollution trading at the farm level are examined using programming simulation models.Heterogeneity, tradable discharge permits, non-point pollution, marginal abatement cost, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Human dimensions of global environmental change: A review of frameworks and research gaps.

This review of current knowledge in, and development of, priorities for research into the human dimensions of global environmental change has been conducted to assist the Foundation for Research Science and Technology to formulate their research needs agenda. An overview of the emergence of the human dimension of the global environmental change research field is used as a prelude to a review of the international literature on frameworks for conducting human dimensions research. The terminology used in the human dimension field is diverse. An attempt is therefore made to consolidate the myriad of definitions for key concepts, in order to form a basis for human dimensions research in New Zealand and build a platform for the remainder of this report. Three disciplinary areas of academic inquiry were explored in the context of human dimensions of global environmental change research: economics, law and biological sciences. These disciplinary perspectives are reviewed through the international literature and in a New Zealand context. A conceptual framework for research into the human dimensions of global environmental change is provided based on the knowledge-base developed from the both international and New Zealand research. Core concepts, such as found in multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research are reviewed in historical context to form the basis for a specific research framework for New Zealand. Some general needs for research are derived from the New Zealand framework. The remainder of this report details the methods used for drawing out expert opinion on the priorities for research on the human dimensions of global environmental change in the context of information, knowledge and method. Thirty-eight interviews and two hui were conducted and 254 research needs defined by questions were obtained. A modified Delphi technique was applied to the questions and prioritised lists of responses are provided. The final list Provides European/Pakeha and Māori perspectives. Divergence and convergence between the European/Pakeha and Māori responses is provided, as well as justification for the prioritisation stance that is taken. This research had four outputs: A conceptual framework for considering the human dimensions of global environmental changes and research contributions; A description of the gaps in knowledge that impede effective response to global change and provisional research needs: one for New Zealand generally, and one on Māori in particular; A network of end-users and research providers that are cognisant of, and contributors to, the human dimensions research assessment; A set of priority research needs pertaining to the human dimensions of global environmental change, in a form suitable for use by FRST

Institutional analysis for nitrogen pollution abatement in a Waikato river sub-catchment in New Zealand

Nitrogen levels in water resources in the Waikato region are increasing, mainly as a result of non-point source pollution from agricultural activities. Non-point pollution management is a complex issue requiring sufficient information and appropriate institutions. This paper considers the environmental policy literature and analyse how institutions, contract design, and monitoring and transaction costs in the presence of farm heterogeneity encourage optimal abatement. The analysis identifies the key institutional issues to be addressed in the design of appropriate policy measures to address water quality in Waikato river sub-catchment.Environmental policy, Transaction cost, Compliance, Contract design, Heterogeneity, Environmental Economics and Policy,