Research History

1997 Assessing the Value of New Zealand's Biodiversity - $10,000

This project was undertaken by Dr Murray Patterson and Dr Anthony Cole. Using a neo-classical Economics framework and methods of valuation, the value of New Zealand's biodiversity was estimated. The project was commissioned as an input into New Zealand's Biodiversity Strategy by the Department of Conservation and Ministry for the Environment. The total value of New Zealand's terrestrial biodiversity in terms of the ecosystem services provided by biodiversity was estimated to be $44 billion ($1994). This is equivalent to 52% of the value of New Zealand's GDP.

Please contact Murray Patterson for more information about this research.

You may be interested in the NZCEE Monograph Series, which includes reports of relevance to this project.