These are unsettling times for us all. We know that many of our clients are keen to receive information about how Covid-19 will impact their operations and the community more broadly. M.E has been examining a number of aspects including how impacts are likely to be shared among sectors, and across regions. In this article we discuss potential population implications.

There has been a flurry of media reports about the case for moving the Ports of Auckland to Whangarei. The proposed port move would be NZ’s largest ever infrastructure investment and would have long-lasting impacts on NZ. A decision of such magnitude needs to be supported by a robust evidence base and a sound economic rationale. This article provides commentary on the key weaknesses of the economic information put before the decision makers and flags the need for a peer review process.

M.E has recently completed research on the value of eco-tourism in Bank Peninsula area (watching Hector’s dolphin) and is also working with the NGO - World Animal Protection. This Memo draws from that research to examine the economic values that are associated with the Hector’s and Māui dolphins.

The announcement of the eligibility criteria for KiwiBuild (4 July) generated a lot of interest and comment – only to be expected for a transformational initiative which looks to address a fundamental social issue. In this Memo, we take a closer look at the KiwiBuild eligibility criteria and consider some of the implications.

There has been a notable shift in the approach to economic policy at central Government level and in the approach to economic evaluation under the RMA - further reinforced by the recent Environment Court decision on Okura's future development (or more appropriately its protection) in Auckland. No longer is economic evaluation limited to market values.

One of Auckland’s most well preserved volcanic cones – Nga Kapua Kohuora / Crater Hill – has been protected from housing development by the Environment Court. As well as protecting the volcano, the Decision has provided strong guidance on the concept of economic efficiency in the RMA context

The core of the Government’s strategy on housing is KiwiBuild. In this article, Dr Douglas Fairgray provides an overview of NZ’s housing challenges and how they have come about. He then examines the KiwiBuild Strategy and identifies three critical success factors and the structural changes that might arise in the housing market through its implementation.

One battle is over, the landscape values of iconic Mackenzie Basin will be saved! - or at least better protected. After ten years of legal wrangling, the final episode of the battle over the protection of the world renowned outstanding natural landscape in the Mackenzie District has concluded. The Environment Court decision may create precedent for future policies across the country.

Many in the world are still getting to grips with the shock result of the US election, an outcome almost unthinkable only 10 days ago, and coming so soon after Brexit. Market Economics looks at possible causes of such big changes in the economic and social direction of two major democracies, and asks the obvious question of whether a major change in direction – even by our more modest standards - could happen here and what might cause it.

Submissions recently closed (3rd October) on the New Zealand Productivity Commission’s Better Urban Planning Draft Report (August 2016). The terms of reference for this inquiry invited the Commission to identify the most appropriate system for allocating land use in cities. Dr Douglas Fairgray of M.E submitted his response to key aspects of the Draft Report.

Auckland’s property market and housing affordability are high profile matters. M.E has been closely involved in developing the evidence base on Auckland’s housing and growth capacity, and presenting expert evidence to the Auckland Independent Hearings Panel. In this Memo we consider some of the key issues around housing affordability – how we assess affordability and the usefulness of some broad indicators.