Welcome to the Website of
Ecological Economics Research New Zealand (EERNZ)
EERNZ conducts research that explores the links between the environment, economy and people.
Our research goal is to explore the ways the quality of the New Zealand environment can be maintained and enhanced while still allowing the economy and people of New Zealand to prosper.
EERNZ Beginning
Ecological Economics Research New Zealand (EERNZ) (formerly NZCEE) was opened on 26 April 2004. The centre is located in the Landcare Research building at Massey University Turitea Campus (Palmerston North) Cnr University Ave & Riddet Road.
At EERNZ we research and apply the integration of socio-economics and ecology, which is the essence of ecological economics. We believe that the applied nature of our research contributes to making real progress at conceptual and practical level.
EERNZ works in collaboration with clients, leading science researchers, government and the private sector to identify, design, implement and evaluate solutions to systemic sustainability issues. EERNZ also works closely with Market Economics Ltd to deliver quality ecological economics research.
EERNZ Vision
Our vision is for EERNZ to be a focal point in New Zealand and Australia for top-quality, policy-relevant research at the interface of economics and ecology. Our core areas of current research expertise include: biophysical analysis of economic processes; sustainability indicators and modelling; environmental valuation; industrial and urban ecology; ecological footprinting; the economics of sustainability options; spatial analysis in ecological economics; ecosystems services; and environmental accounting of the macro-economy; participatory processes, system dynamics and mediated modelling. We aim to produce research results that are of practical use to stakeholders both directly and in the sense of promoting new ways of thinking about both economic and environmental policy.
EERNZ Research Projects
Mediated Modelling: Tauranga Case Study
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 linkages into other cities/regions.
We build on 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 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.
Integrated Freshwater Solutions: (IFS)
The Integrated Freshwater Solutions (IFS) project is a 3 year project funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (formerly known as Foundation for Research, Science and Technology) to develop effective tools to address the needs of regional councils and local authorities nationwide for a more integrated approach to freshwater management. Our case study project is the Manawatu River catchment. In September 2010 it was agreed to use the Integrated Freshwater Solutions project to work with stakeholders brought together primarily by the Manawatu River Leaders Accord to collaboratively define an Action Plan to improve the river's water quality.
We collaborate with Freshwater Ecologist, Dr Russell Death of the Institute of Natural Resources Massey University and three local iwi.
