Looking beyond the limits to what it takes to make the numbers work

Abstract

This paper presents insights from the socio-cultural analysis of numbers. It is usually assumed that numbers are objective and unambiguous. However, when looking at their socio-cultural side, it will be shown that numbers have to be made to work to ensure their accountability, verifiability and enforcement. These characteristics have Implications for the implementation of setting limits on resource use. What systems will need to be created to make the numbers work to manage land use for water quality, and what might be the political, social and economic ramifications? This paper examines these questions and their relevance for the limit setting regime now being implemented across New Zealand and in particular the region of Canterbury.