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Publication Open Access Valuing the environment: Economic theory and applications(Centre for Resource Management, 1985) Kerr, Geoffrey N.; Sharp, Basil M. H.Resource use decisions entail the comparison of a range of diverse consequences associated with each possible use. Many means exist to simplify comparison of otherwise incommenurable values. The move toward a 'more market' economy indicates however, that financial considerations will be given more weight than previously in determining resource allocations. This is consistent with our observation of trends in many countries. Many consequences of resource uses are not incorporated in market prices, either because of imperfections in markets which mean that some values are not fully captured, or because a market does not exist at all. Because of their public nature many goods are supplied free, or at nominal rates, by government, or can only be maintained by government intervention. This is certainly the case for many environmental goods which are available for all to use or appreciate; examples include: clean air, national parks, wild and scenic rivers, wildlife populations, scenic landscapes and quiet. The valuation of New Zealand's natural resources has become a priority task in view of the new economic policies. In particular, questions are being asked about the economic and welfare significance of changes in natural resource management which are not reflected by market prices. There exists a need to provide decision makers with information on non-market values. In response to this need, the Centre for Resource Management has an ongoing research and teaching programme aimed at advancing knowledge for the management of New Zealand's resources. In December 1985 the Centre hosted a workshop at the University of Canterbury in non-market valuation methods and their use in environmental planning. The objective of this four-day workshop was to advance understanding of these methods and how they might be used in planning. Because of the limited knowledge of non-market valuation methods in New Zealand the workshop covered a range of topics, from the need for these methods, their non-technical description, likely areas of implementation, advanced description and economic theory of methods, problems in applying results to decision making, and case study examples. This book is a comprehensive review of theory, the major methods, and their application. It is based on contributions to the workshop which address a wide range of concerns for the application of non-market valuation in New Zealand. These concerns can be classified into three broad areas: the need for non-market values, how the information could be used, and the methods for estimating non-market values. Papers will be found which address each of these concerns, making this a useful reference source for those involved in all aspects of public resource administration, those holding public office, students, academics, and those charged with valuing our natural resources.Publication Open Access Introduction to non-market valuation : Theory and methods(Centre for Resource Management, 1986) Kerr, Geoffrey N.This paper is presented in response to the need for a non-technical introduction to non-market valuation. Its objectives are to present the concept of consumer surplus, upon which estimates of economic value are based, and to illustrate the most widely accepted methods of measuring values. While this paper is aimed principally at students of resource management it should be of use as a concise introductory summary of non-market valuation for professional resource managers. Those wishing to apply the techniques discussed will require information found only in much more detailed literature on each of the methods. However, the material presented here should allow readers to identify whether a particular method will be appropriate to their needs.Publication Open Access Property rights and natural resource policy(Centre for Resource Management, 1987) Hide, Rodney P.The purpose of this paper is twofold. It seeks first to introduce a set of ideas important to natural resource and environmental policy. These ideas have hitherto been confined to academic articles dispersed among a number of journals. The second purpose of the paper is t.o expose for scrutiny the solution that I have adopted to the problem of how property rights should be reformed. Through the resulting criticism I hope to learn more about the problem and, hence, to be able to improve upon its solution. The paper also provides me with the welcome opportunity t.o acknowledge the generous help and support that I have received in my study. Dr Basil Sharp made me first wonder about property rights and, perhaps to atone for this heavy responsibility, Basil has continued to guide and encourage my work. Basil's support has been central t.o any progress that I have made. My understanding of property rights has also benefited from discussions with Tom McClurg, Richard Peters and Peter Ackroyd, three fellow critical rationalists. I have also benefited from Dr Henry Connor's demands that I write clearly and correctly. The occasional stern bark from this mastiff of the English language has not only lightened the reader's task but has also forced me to think more clearly and critically about property rights. It has also been my good fortune to enjoy the stimulating research atmosphere provided by Dr John Hayward at the Centre for Resource Management. These friends and colleagues have not only made this paper possible but have also ensured that it is very much better than it otherwise would have been. No one but myself, however, is to blame for the final outcome.Publication Open Access Working through complex issues - with special reference to environment(Centre for Resource Management, 1988) White, E. G.The perception of 'complexity' is in part a statement about an observer's lack of understanding. It may arise when a process of observing has insufficiently pieced together those relationships that are essential to a satisfying explanation. Although the process of observing tends in practice to be second-nature, it relies on method - and methods at times can be used inappropriately. Should inappropriate observation lead to elements of confusion, we may label the focal object 'complex'. A relationship is traced between observer and observed to suggest that complex issues (imagined or real) may be better understood by giving attention to organising principles. An explicit methodology is presented, and is based on recent advances in the holistic theory of systems. The method formalises four working rules that can be applied to any viewing field of the observer's choice. Although the four rules can be adopted as generalisations, the precise context of their use has been formulated as a user-friendly computer program FOCUS. Five user guidelines complement the rules, and descriptive systems diagrams are generated as hypotheses of system functioning. Each hypothesis is bounded by specific definitions of observer focus, and so restrains any involuntary tendency to shift or confound one's focus and thence to confuse issues unnecessarily. Three examples are presented and the cultural context of the observing process is emphasised. Although special reference is given to issues of environmental management, the methodology has been conceived for systems research in general.Publication Open Access The sustainability of natural and physical resources - interpreting the concept(Centre for Resource Management, 1988) Baines, J. T.; Wright, J. C.; Taylor, C. N.; Leathers, K. L.; O'Fallon, C. O.The concept of sustainability is already embodied in the Environment Act 1986 as government policy in New Zealand. If sustainability is to be a fundamental concept underlying the whole process of resource management, it requires interpretation and illustration. That was the purpose of this study.Publication Open Access Future generations and the environment(Centre for Resource Management, 1988) Wright, Janice C.Concern is expressed for the welfare of future generations in a number of general areas. One list of areas of concern is - - war - overpopulation - pollution - resource depletion - sociocultural institutions - physical structure and infrastructure - knowledge and research capability. Of course these areas overlap, for example, wars are often fought over access to resources. Areas of concern may also conflict. For example, existing sociocultural institutions have many guardians, but safeguarding the status quo may harm the interests of future people. Environmental decision makers are, presumably, primarily concerned about resource depletion and pollution. Of course, these are two sides of the same coin; when we deplete, we generally pollute. In this chapter I look at the conservation/development debate which lies behind the "future generations problem" in its global context and in its New Zealand context.Publication Open Access Proceedings of the 1983 Hill and High Country Seminar, Lincoln College, 10-11 May 1983(Lincoln College, Centre for Resource Management, 1983-11) Robertson, B. T.The proceedings include the full text of the following papers: J. B. Dent & James Stewart, Farming without SMP’s; J. G. Bayley, Farming without SMP’s; I. G. C. Kerr, Production, performance and prospects in the high country; A. G. Sinclair and P. D. McIntosh, Soils and fertilisers for pasture production in the South Island hill and high country; G. G. Cossens, The effect of altitude on pasture production in South Island hill and high country; J. L. Daniell, How I manage my fertiliser programme; A. Kane, How I handle my fertiliser programme; J. E. Radclzffe, Fodder trees - an option for dry hill country; B. J. Wills, Forage plants for the semi-arid high country and rangelands of New Zealand; A. H. Ensor, The management and profitability of a prolific flock; T. Wallis, Is it too late to start deer farming?; L. S. Saunders, Ewes or wethers?; J. W. Edmonds, Going into forestry; G. R. Hampton, Mixing farming and forestry; N. S. Percival & R. L. Knowles, Agroforestry research; J. M. Aitken, Farming and forestry on North Island east coast hill country; E. R. H. Garden, Diversification - that means farm forestry too!; T. A. Roberts, Rural fire insurance; J. G. Groome, Planning for profitable marketing of trees; Ian Donald, Financing farming and forestry into the nineties; K. Whiteside, Commentary; D. G. Reynolds, Where do we go from here?Publication Open Access Proceedings of the 1985 Hill and High Country Seminar, Lincoln College, July 1985(Centre for Resource Management, 1986-03) Robertson, B. T.; Johnston, W.The proceedings include the full text of the following papers: G. Batten, The challenge of goats; B. R. D. Purchas, Goat management and fibre returns; Joan E. Radcliffe, Gorse control with goats; G. L. Holgate Sweet brier control with goats; M. G. Lambert, Goats for controlling pasture weeds; J. M. Keoghan, MAF research on alternative pasture species, cultivators and lines for southern South Island hill and high country; B. E. Allan, Pasture species most suited to non-arable hill and high country: a new look at traditional species; M. Douglas, Lucerne establishment in high country soils; J. M. Keoghan, Fitting pasture species and cultivars into high country landscapes and grazing systems; - C. Bridgeman, Species for the moist zone; E. WVartha, D. Scott & L.A. Maunsell, Species for intensive use; J. Tavendale & R. Evans Species for special purpose high country pastures; J. Perriam, Pasture management in the dry zone; A. Heath & R. Ward-Smith, Adding value to fine wool sheep; Can traditional hill country agriculture survive the market economy (i) A farmer's view - E. Garden (ii) An economist's perspective - G. E. Rutherford, P. G. Bushnell (iii) A commentary - A. Rayner; Matagouri control (i) Chemicals - B. A. Patterson (ii) The burning option - P. Grigg (iii) The do-nothing approach - H. Pawsey.Publication Open Access Environment and ethics : a New Zealand contribution(Centre for Resource Management, 1986) Howell, JohnThis collection of essays promotes a dialogue between a group of philosophers and ecologists on the subject of environmental ethics. Through group meetings and a mutual exchange of drafts over a period of two years, each author has been made aware of the thinking of others, so common themes and questions have been addressed. Nonetheless there are contrasts between the essays which the reader will observe, even though in the two preservation essays there is joint authorship. Often discussions of this kind are strong ethics and weak on ecology, or vice versa. I believe we have here a set of integrated discussions from authors with skills from both disciplines. The collection includes the full text of the following essays: Les Molloy & Jim Wilson, Why preserve wilderness?; Alastair S. Gunn & Alan Edmonds, Why preserve species?; Diane Hunt, Responsibility to future people; Graeme Scott, Pollution as a transfer of consequences; Why are non-human animals objects of moral concern?; John Morton, The anatomy of decision; Chris Parkin, The human element; Graeme Scott, An ethic for nature.Publication Open Access Mountain beech forest : an educational resource(Centre for Resource Management, Lincoln College for the Canterbury Science Teachers’ Association, 1985) Jowett, Warren; Stephenson, Ian; Coates, FelicityMany teachers of biology in Canterbury enjoy taking their students into mountain beech forest for field studies. An oft-expressed complaint in the past has been the lack of simple, readily available resource material to assist both teacher and student in their study. This book is an attempt by three biology teachers to fill this gap. The book has three aims. The first is to introduce the reader to the mountain beech tree and the beech forest community (including stream ecology). The second is to describe activities which students may use in beech forest. Lastly, the book identifies forest areas in Canterbury where field studies can be conveniently carried out by school groups. The original idea for the book came from the Canterbury Science Teachers' Association. The idea took a step towards becoming reality when financial support was provided by the Environmental Council to C.S.T.A. to produce the book. Teacher release time was provided by the Education Department, support and assistance given by the staff of the Canterbury conservancy of the New Zealand Forest Service and editorial and publication assistance was generously given by the Centre for Resource Management, Lincoln College. In total a large number of people belonging to a number of different agencies combined together to produce the book. It is hoped that this will not be the only exercise of this kind where educational and scientific agencies in Canterbury combine to produce an educational publication on ecology. It is also hoped that student and teacher alike find the book helpful in interpreting and understanding the ecology of mountain beech forest. But please remember - it was written as an aide to, and not a substitute for, field work.Publication Open Access Social assessment : theory, process and techniques(Centre for Resource Management, 1990-08) Taylor, C. Nicholas; Bryan, C. Hobson; Goodrich, Colin. G.Impetus in New Zealand for the development of theory, process, and techniques of social assessment comes from major social change. This change has been in the restructuring and reform of the public service and the resource economy. It has been paralleled by reform of local and regional councils and the legal basis for resource management. This has led not only to renewed interest in creative procedures and techniques for use in the broad field of environmental management, but a need to build and extend expertise as well. The text begins with a critical examination of the historical background of social assessment, the common problems that have emerged and suggested solutions leading to new perspectives. This focus on both constraints and prospects for new approaches continues in Chapter Two with a discussion of orientations to the field and typical work environments in which practitioners tend to operate. Shifts in orientation are advocated. The basis for a new, issues-oriented approach is detailed in the remaining chapters. Within Chapter Three a theoretical overview is provided along with base assumptions for the new approach, assumptions drawn from environmental sociology and other innovative areas of social theory. The process of social assessment, including the need for adequate institutional arrangements, is examined in Chapter Four. In Chapter Five a flexible, analytical approach to the collection and analysis of data for social assessment is introduced. This approach requires a basic conceptual framework, as discussed in Chapter Six. Then various techniques for collecting data are discussed, including secondary data and surveys in Chapter Seven, and information on economic impacts in Chapter Eight. Finally, in Chapter Nine, qualitative and consultative methods are discussed as fundamental to the issues-oriented approach. Short case studies are used for illustration.Publication Open Access Social discounting and the environment(Centre for Resource Management, Lincoln University & University of Canterbury., 1990-08) Wright, JaniceGiving the future less weight than the present when making decisions is known as temporal or time discounting. The practice of discounting is perfectly sensible in private capital investment. However, for public investments, most notably those with long term consequences, many feel uneasy with what is known as social discounting. Because the debate about discounting is very technical and difficult to follow, it is tempting to leave the problem to the experts to sort out. But the choice of discount rate used to evaluate public investments concerns us all. During the late seventies and early eighties a very active debate on social discounting took place in New Zealand. An interesting account can be found in Forbes and Meister (1984). The setting of a 10% real discount rate for all government investment did not resolve the disagreement. In the last few years the ground of the discount rate debate has shifted. Government investment in natural resource development has been largely replaced by private or quasi-private (State Owned Enterprise - SOE) investment. Private companies can, of course, target their own rates of return and SOEs are not bound by the 10% rule. But the choice of discount rate by resource developers is still of interest to a public concerned with the depletion of natural resources. More generally, in "taking account of the needs of future generations" (Environment Act 1986), the public servants charged with this task should not allow such needs to be discounted away to nothing.