Cross-cultural differences in environmental valuation: a choice modelling application to water resources in the Waikato

Abstract

Differences between traditional Māori and Western utilitarian approaches to waterways and their management support the possibility that strong cultural differences in environmental perspectives may exist. Failure to account for these differences could lead to misrepresentation of the strengths of cross-cultural preferences; yet, few empirical studies have attempted to quantify these differences. This application of stated preference non-market environmental valuation investigated whether there is a significant difference between Māori and non-Māori in a waterway context. Preferences of Waikato University students were derived from a choice experiment and supplemented with additional measures of Māori cultural identity, to measure the strength of affiliation with traditional Māori culture; and connectedness to nature, to measure environmental affinity. The latter two measures were investigated as potential sources of preference heterogeneity in the choice analysis. No cross-cultural difference in choice behaviour was found in this study, supporting the possibility of similar desired resource management outcomes in urban areas where Māori are integrated and exposed to Western societal constructs. Neither Māori identity nor environmental affinity had any significant impact on preference heterogeneity of respondents; however, both scales used were subject to a number of methodological limitations and may have resulted in biased estimates.