The regional impacts of irrigation development in the Lower Waitaki

Abstract

This study has been carried out as part of the AERU's research programme concerning resource economics. This programme is aimed at encouraging efficient resource use and development in terms of both regional and national policy objectives. More specifically, the current study highlights the regional implications of a large scale government funded Irrigation Scheme in the Lower Waitaki basin of the South Island. Considerable attention has been given in this study to alternative methods of estimating regional multipliers for the appropriate region. The methodology developed in this study should form the basis of further future analyses aimed at quantifying regional impacts of investment projects. In this respect alone, the current report is most timely as increasing attention is being given in New Zealand to regional development matters.