Manaaki Taha Moana: Enhancing Coastal Ecosystems for Iwi (MTM)

The aim of this exciting new programme is to restore and enhance coastal ecosystems and their services of importance to iwi, through a better knowledge of these ecosystems and the degradation processes that affect them.  

We will build upon the experience and knowledge gained in our previous FRST programme, 'Enhancing and Sustaining Ecosystems within the Ngāti Raukawa rohe', which had a terrestrial focus.

While continuing to work with Ngati Raukawa, we will also collaborate with iwi in Bay of Plenty through Manaaki Taiao Incorporated; WakaDigital; and the Cawthron Institute in Nelson. There is also extensive and enthusiastic support for this programme from many central and local government agencies; as well as from iwi authorities, hapū and kaumatua (see here).

More information about 'ecosystem services', and their fundamental importance to economic systems can be found in our "Great Reads" section (left column).

Sustainable Pathways II (SP2)

The aim is of this programme is to develop an integrative (economic, social, environmental) scenario modelling capacity in NZ to enable planners and communities to more fully appreciate options for the future of their cities and regions. Auckland and Wellington are our two case study regions, with strong linkages into other cities/regions.

We will build upon the successful Sustainable Pathways programme, by introducing two ‘State of the Art’ modelling methods – ‘Mediated Modelling’, which combines the best of ‘participatory and consensus based approaches to decision-making’ with the best of ‘dynamic systems modelling’; and Spatial-Dynamic Modelling, which puts the non-spatial models that we developed in ‘SP1’ into a fully spatial modelling framework where crucial variables can be modelled spatially and dynamically.

We will collaborate with Dr Garry McDonald from Market Economics Ltd; staff from Auckland Regional Council, Environment Waikato, Greater Wellington Regional Council; and the Research Institute for Knowledge Systems in the Netherlands.

Whāia te mātauranga! Pursue Education!

Scholarships and PostGraduate Study Opportunities available through NZCEE and Massey University can be found here

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NZCEE is pleased to congratulate the
successful scholarship applicants in the
'Enhancing and Sustaining Ecosystems within the Ngāti Raukawa rohe' FRST research programme.

NZCEE was very impressed with the quality of the applicants and is priviledged to be able to support Māori research capability development in this way.

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A number of students are currently undertaking postgraduate study in Ecological Economics-related topics. Updates about their progress can be found in our NZCEE newsletter, or on our website here.

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When people do not pay for the consequences of their actions, we have market failure

- 2006 Stern Review -

This section of our new website will feature topical issues of relevance to the research we do here at NZCEE, including links to news stories in the media, such as NZCEEs involvement in the Manaaki Tuna project to save the longfin eel; latest research findings; and topics open for discussion.

WATCH THIS SPACE for regular updates!

CURRENT TOPICAL ISSUES:

Determining the Best Response
to the Global Recession

New Zealand, like other countries, is considering what kind of economic stimulus package, and other measures, can best respond to the global economic recession and soften its impact, especially on jobs. Such issues are the focus of Professor Robert Costanza's current work.

Distinguished Visiting Fellow with NZCEE, Professor Robert Costanza conducted a number of very popular presentations during his time with NZCEE, recently, entitled: "The Global Recession: an Opportunity to Create a Sustainable Future"; and "Modelling and Valuing Ecosystem Services".

"Shared responsibility"
for environmental impacts of production
by producers and consumers.

NZCEE researchers, Robbie Andrew and Vicky Forgie, use input–output analysis to apply shared, producer and consumer responsibility perspectives to New Zealand’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions. Main findings from the shared responsibility approach are that New Zealand producers are responsible for 44% of domestic emissions, New Zealand consumers take 28%, and 27% are exported.

The full article can be accessed here.