title: Simulation of alternative dairy farm pollution abatement policies

authors: Ramilan, Thiagarajah

subjects: Whole Farm Model

abstract: New Zealand dairy farmers face a tradeoff between profit maximisation and environmental performance. The integrated simulation model presented here enables assessment of the economic and environmental impact of dairy farming with a focus on nitrogen pollution at the catchment level. Our approach extends the value of the DairyNZ Whole Farm Model (Beukes et al., 2005) as an environmental policy tool by building and integrating nitrogen discharge functions for specific soil types and topography using a metamodelling technique. A hybrid model is created by merging the merits of differential evolution and non-linear optimisation to expedite policy simulations, in which farm profits and nitrogen discharges obtained from the differential evolution optimisation process are assembled to form a profit–pollution frontier. This frontier is then subject to constrained optimisation based on non-linear optimisation in order to predict producer responses to alternative pollution control policies. We apply this framework to derive marginal abatement costs for heterogeneous farm types and find that abatement costs for intensive farms are lower than for moderate and extensive farming systems. We further conclude that abatement can be achieved more cheaply using a compulsory standard or threshold tax than using a standard emissions tax.

text: Simulation of alternative dairy farm pollution abatement policies New Zealand dairy farmers face a tradeoff between profit maximisation and environmental performance. The integrated simulation model presented here enables assessment of the economic and environmental impact of dairy farming with a focus on nitrogen pollution at the catchment level. Our approach extends the value of the DairyNZ Whole Farm Model (Beukes et al., 2005) as an environmental policy tool by building and integrating nitrogen discharge functions for specific soil types and topography using a metamodelling technique. A hybrid model is created by merging the merits of differential evolution and non-linear optimisation to expedite policy simulations, in which farm profits and nitrogen discharges obtained from the differential evolution optimisation process are assembled to form a profit–pollution frontier. This frontier is then subject to constrained optimisation based on non-linear optimisation in order to predict producer responses to alternative pollution control policies. We apply this framework to derive marginal abatement costs for heterogeneous farm types and find that abatement costs for intensive farms are lower than for moderate and extensive farming systems. We further conclude that abatement can be achieved more cheaply using a compulsory standard or threshold tax than using a standard emissions tax.

year: 2010

title: A regional model of endogenous growth with creative destruction

authors: Bond-Smith, Steven Craig

subjects: endogenous growth

abstract: We consider a two region growth model with vertical innovations where technical externalities in R&D lead to a technology leading region being the most attractive location for innovative firms. Innovations are produced in the form of quality improvements building on available knowledge and firms choose a technologically advanced location to maximise the productivity of R&D and maintain their niche monopoly. The partial nature of spillovers causes an additional force for agglomeration: the clustering effect. Agglomerated locations have the benefit of local inter-varietal knowledge spillovers for growth while peripheral locations depend on trade and regional knowledge spillovers.

text: A regional model of endogenous growth with creative destruction We consider a two region growth model with vertical innovations where technical externalities in R&D lead to a technology leading region being the most attractive location for innovative firms. Innovations are produced in the form of quality improvements building on available knowledge and firms choose a technologically advanced location to maximise the productivity of R&D and maintain their niche monopoly. The partial nature of spillovers causes an additional force for agglomeration: the clustering effect. Agglomerated locations have the benefit of local inter-varietal knowledge spillovers for growth while peripheral locations depend on trade and regional knowledge spillovers.

year: 2012-04

title: The baskets of knowledge: A curriculum for an indigenous psychology

authors: Waitoki, Waikaremoana

abstract: Through the chapters in this book we have walked alongside Ripeka and her whānau. We have taken a journey into potentiality; that of Ripeka’s as well as our own. Our introduction to this book asked what would happen when we witnessed Ripeka through our eyes as a Māori psychologist, when diverse and multi-layered cultural contexts form our starting point. What would happen when we understood the interconnectedness of whakapapa, and tikanga to Ripeka’s past, present and future and how they could be used to guide pathways forward? We asked what would happen when we viewed Ripeka and her whānau through a lens of unrelenting hope and unrealised potential. If all those things happened, what value are we able to add as Māori psychologists to Ripeka’s life, and to that of her whānau?

text: The baskets of knowledge: A curriculum for an indigenous psychology Through the chapters in this book we have walked alongside Ripeka and her whānau. We have taken a journey into potentiality; that of Ripeka’s as well as our own. Our introduction to this book asked what would happen when we witnessed Ripeka through our eyes as a Māori psychologist, when diverse and multi-layered cultural contexts form our starting point. What would happen when we understood the interconnectedness of whakapapa, and tikanga to Ripeka’s past, present and future and how they could be used to guide pathways forward? We asked what would happen when we viewed Ripeka and her whānau through a lens of unrelenting hope and unrealised potential. If all those things happened, what value are we able to add as Māori psychologists to Ripeka’s life, and to that of her whānau?

year: 2016