Research Area

Economic Valuation

Many decisions require trade-offs - balancing the benefits received against the costs of taking action. Various methods of economic valuation aim to examine and produce values for an array of goods, services and policies/projects. Economic valuations can provide important estimates of the value of goods, services and courses of action (including market-based and non-market valuation), reduce uncertainty and risk, and allow for the full consideration of all possible options. The AERU has extensive experience in providing economic valuations for range of end-users, including key institutions within New Zealand’s Government and primary sector.

Related Research

What We've Done

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) Framework

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

Our land in New Zealand is used in many different ways. As our population grows and needs change, land is being used for different purposes. Our Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) Framework has been developed to enable people to explore different land use scenarios and see a broad assessment of the economic, environmental and social impacts.

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

Economic Valuation of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC)

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

In 2023, the AERU was commissioned by the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC) to make an independent estimate of the value of the Centre to New Zealand. Case studies examined the value of the Centre by industry - namely dairy, kiwifruit, and poultry. The total conservative estimate based on case studies of the above industries was NZ$164 million per year - a significant return on the government’s NZ$2.5 million investment.

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

Climate Change, Economic Valuation, International Trade

The Economic Impacts of Extreme Events

Climate Change, Economic Valuation, International Trade

The AERU is currently engaged in a project to estimate the economic impact of extreme events in relation to climate change on New Zealand's primary sector, funded by MPI's Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change programme.

Climate Change, Economic Valuation, International Trade

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

Farm Certification Scheme Surveys

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

Since 2022, the AERU has been involved in a series of surveys aimed at measuring farmer participation in farm certification schemes.

Economic Valuation, Food & Fibre Value Chains, Regional Development

Economic Valuation, Wellbeing Economics

Estimating Indigenous Cultural Values of Freshwater

Economic Valuation, Wellbeing Economics

AERU researcher Dr Sini Miller assessed how Canterbury residents value and trade off multiple attributes of freshwater use, developing policy scenarios to explore impacts on employment, as well as the environmental, recreation, and cultural values associated with water.

Economic Valuation, Wellbeing Economics

Wellbeing Economics, Economic Valuation, Regional Development

Whānau Ora Study

Wellbeing Economics, Economic Valuation, Regional Development

The AERU was contracted by Ihi Research and Development to perform a cost-benefit analysis of the He Toki ki te Mahi initiative, and provide an analysis of the initiative's economic impact.

Wellbeing Economics, Economic Valuation, Regional Development

Economic Valuation

Economic Assessment of Braided Rivers Management

Economic Valuation

The AERU is contributing to a research programme that aims to estimate the economic values of braided rivers alongside the management implications, and contribute to understanding the benefits and costs to affected communities from the different braided river management options developed.

Economic Valuation

The Economic Value of Antarctic Activities

Economic Valuation

Since 2007 the AERU has been commissioned by Antarctica New Zealand to produce a report outlining the contributions of Antarctic-related activities to the Canterbury and New Zealand economies.

Economic Valuation

Biological Control of the European Wasp in Australia

Economic Valuation

This study is part of a broader project by CEBRA and the Australian Government aimed at delivering updated knowledge on the benefits and costs of biological control of established pests in Australia.

Economic Valuation