title: Evaluation of agri-environmental policies for reducing nitrate pollution from New Zealand dairy farms accounting for firm heterogeneity

authors: Doole, Graeme J.

subjects: diffuse pollution

abstract: Policy makers worldwide are interested in the identification of cost-effective policy instruments to reduce diffuse pollution. A large economic model representing heterogeneous farms is used to evaluate a broad set of policies for reducing nitrate regulation within a large catchment dominated by dairy production. A policy instrument that allows the level of abatement to vary among producers according to differences in abatement cost is most cost-effective. The primary goal of 26 kg N ha(-1) can be achieved at a cost of $15 ha(-1) under this cap and trade policy, while a uniform cap on emissions for all farmers would be more than three times as expensive ($49 ha(-1)). In contrast, requiring uniform reductions in stocking rate, banning the application of nitrogen fertiliser, and land retirement perform poorly. These instruments are at least three times more costly than a cap and trade policy over all simulated reductions. Moreover, the differentiated policy does not greatly alter the distribution of farm profit, relative to what exists without regulation. The use of a large, complex economic model incorporating disaggregated farms provides unique insight into the economic benefits accruing to a differentiated policy.

text: Evaluation of agri-environmental policies for reducing nitrate pollution from New Zealand dairy farms accounting for firm heterogeneity Policy makers worldwide are interested in the identification of cost-effective policy instruments to reduce diffuse pollution. A large economic model representing heterogeneous farms is used to evaluate a broad set of policies for reducing nitrate regulation within a large catchment dominated by dairy production. A policy instrument that allows the level of abatement to vary among producers according to differences in abatement cost is most cost-effective. The primary goal of 26 kg N ha(-1) can be achieved at a cost of $15 ha(-1) under this cap and trade policy, while a uniform cap on emissions for all farmers would be more than three times as expensive ($49 ha(-1)). In contrast, requiring uniform reductions in stocking rate, banning the application of nitrogen fertiliser, and land retirement perform poorly. These instruments are at least three times more costly than a cap and trade policy over all simulated reductions. Moreover, the differentiated policy does not greatly alter the distribution of farm profit, relative to what exists without regulation. The use of a large, complex economic model incorporating disaggregated farms provides unique insight into the economic benefits accruing to a differentiated policy.

year: 2013

title: Researching amid the heat and noise of political debate

authors: Thrupp, Martin

abstract: This article discusses the everyday politics surrounding research on a controversial government policy. The research in question is the Research, Analysis and Insight into National Standards (RAINS) project on National Standards in New Zealand primary schools being undertaken by the author. This three-year study was funded by the New Zealand primary teachers' union, the NZEI, an organisation opposed to the National Standards policy. The project was quickly attacked by a cabinet minister and the media but there have also been significant accomplishments in carrying out and reporting the research and in relevant activism. As the article discusses the political setbacks and successes while undertaking the research, it reflects on issues such as research funding, research 'independence', the reporting of findings from controversial research projects, the tensions between being a researcher and an activist and the importance of supportive networks. The article provides a case study of how challenges to the legitimacy of research and academic involvement in public debate may need to be anticipated and addressed by researchers much like other aspects of their work.

text: Researching amid the heat and noise of political debate This article discusses the everyday politics surrounding research on a controversial government policy. The research in question is the Research, Analysis and Insight into National Standards (RAINS) project on National Standards in New Zealand primary schools being undertaken by the author. This three-year study was funded by the New Zealand primary teachers' union, the NZEI, an organisation opposed to the National Standards policy. The project was quickly attacked by a cabinet minister and the media but there have also been significant accomplishments in carrying out and reporting the research and in relevant activism. As the article discusses the political setbacks and successes while undertaking the research, it reflects on issues such as research funding, research 'independence', the reporting of findings from controversial research projects, the tensions between being a researcher and an activist and the importance of supportive networks. The article provides a case study of how challenges to the legitimacy of research and academic involvement in public debate may need to be anticipated and addressed by researchers much like other aspects of their work.

year: 2013

title: Editorial: Culturally responsive research and pedagogy

authors: Kostogriz, Alex

abstract: This special and extra issue of English Teaching: Practice and Critique had its origins in an international symposium held in the Faculty of Education at the University of Waikato in November, 2010. The Faculty had already established a tradition of hosting conferences on the theme of language, education and diversity, which had been organised in 2003 and 2007 with input from the Departments of Arts and Language Education, Applied Linguistics and representatives from tainui iwi, and in recognition of the University of Waikato’s strengths in respect of bicultural and multicultural education. In 2010, the thematic focus shifted from a specific focus on language to a broader.

text: Editorial: Culturally responsive research and pedagogy This special and extra issue of English Teaching: Practice and Critique had its origins in an international symposium held in the Faculty of Education at the University of Waikato in November, 2010. The Faculty had already established a tradition of hosting conferences on the theme of language, education and diversity, which had been organised in 2003 and 2007 with input from the Departments of Arts and Language Education, Applied Linguistics and representatives from tainui iwi, and in recognition of the University of Waikato’s strengths in respect of bicultural and multicultural education. In 2010, the thematic focus shifted from a specific focus on language to a broader.

year: 2011