title: Empirical evaluation of nonpoint pollution policies under agent heterogeneity: regulating intensive dairy production in the Waikato region of New Zealand

authors: Doole, Graeme J.

subjects: differentiated instruments

abstract: Models used for policy evaluation rarely consider firm heterogeneity, despite its importance for instrument design. This study considers agent heterogeneity explicitly in the evaluation of policies for nonpoint pollution control through the integration of decomposition and calibration procedures for programming models. The application concerns the regulation of nitrate leaching from intensive dairy production in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Failing to represent firm heterogeneity leads to widely different estimates of mitigation costs, relative to where heterogeneity is considered. Variation in baseline emissions and the slopes of abatement cost curves between firms renders a differentiated policy less costly than a uniform standard. However, the relative values of these policies are not broadly different, as firms required to do the most abatement – intensive farms with large baseline pollutant loads – can do so more cheaply, on average.

text: Empirical evaluation of nonpoint pollution policies under agent heterogeneity: regulating intensive dairy production in the Waikato region of New Zealand Models used for policy evaluation rarely consider firm heterogeneity, despite its importance for instrument design. This study considers agent heterogeneity explicitly in the evaluation of policies for nonpoint pollution control through the integration of decomposition and calibration procedures for programming models. The application concerns the regulation of nitrate leaching from intensive dairy production in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Failing to represent firm heterogeneity leads to widely different estimates of mitigation costs, relative to where heterogeneity is considered. Variation in baseline emissions and the slopes of abatement cost curves between firms renders a differentiated policy less costly than a uniform standard. However, the relative values of these policies are not broadly different, as firms required to do the most abatement – intensive farms with large baseline pollutant loads – can do so more cheaply, on average.

year: 2011

title: Quantified vegetation change over 42 years at Cape Hallett, East Antarctica

authors: Brabyn, Lars

subjects: algae

abstract: This paper reports on the remapping of a carefully documented vegetation plot at Cape Hallett (72°19′S 170°16′E) to provide an assessment of the rates of vegetation change over decadal time scales. E.D. Rudolph, in 1962, mapped in detail the vegetation of a site approximately 28 m by 120 m at Cape Hallett, Victoria Land, Antarctica. This site was relocated and remapped in January 2004 and changes were assessed using GIS techniques. This appears to be the longest available time period for assessing vegetation change in Antarctica. The analysis indicated that considerable change had occurred in moss and algae distribution patterns and this seems to have been caused by increased water supply, particularly in wetter areas. There was also evidence of some change in lichen distribution. The extent of the change indicates that vegetation cover can be used for monitoring change in areas as extreme as the Ross Sea region. For this analysis to be successful it was important that the mapping techniques used were totally explicit and could easily be replicated. Fortunately, Rudolph had defined his cover classes and the site was also clearly marked. The application of GIS mapping techniques allows the mapping to be more explicitly defined and easily replicated.

text: Quantified vegetation change over 42 years at Cape Hallett, East Antarctica This paper reports on the remapping of a carefully documented vegetation plot at Cape Hallett (72°19′S 170°16′E) to provide an assessment of the rates of vegetation change over decadal time scales. E.D. Rudolph, in 1962, mapped in detail the vegetation of a site approximately 28 m by 120 m at Cape Hallett, Victoria Land, Antarctica. This site was relocated and remapped in January 2004 and changes were assessed using GIS techniques. This appears to be the longest available time period for assessing vegetation change in Antarctica. The analysis indicated that considerable change had occurred in moss and algae distribution patterns and this seems to have been caused by increased water supply, particularly in wetter areas. There was also evidence of some change in lichen distribution. The extent of the change indicates that vegetation cover can be used for monitoring change in areas as extreme as the Ross Sea region. For this analysis to be successful it was important that the mapping techniques used were totally explicit and could easily be replicated. Fortunately, Rudolph had defined his cover classes and the site was also clearly marked. The application of GIS mapping techniques allows the mapping to be more explicitly defined and easily replicated.

year: 2006

title: Speaking the unspoken: Maori experiences of racism in New Zealand sport

authors: Hippolite, Holly Raima

subjects: Maori

abstract: This research explores how being Maori influences Maori participants’ sport experiences and offers a critical Maori perspective on New Zealand sport. Ten experienced Maori sport participants were interviewed using Kaupapa Maori Research Methods which involved research performed by Maori, about Maori being Maori. This research grew out of discussions with Maori participants and explores their experiences as athletes, coaches, administrators and spectators, focusing on their interactions with Pakeha in Pakeha-dominated sport. Their experiences demonstrate personal, cultural and institutional racism in New Zealand sport and indicate how the power differentials in society impact on the ability of Maori to practice important cultural values in Pakeha-dominated contexts. I argue that racism is a factor affecting the relationships of Maori with Pakeha in key functionary positions in sport and identify a culture of denial that operates to marginalise discussions about racism generally. These participants’ experiences reflect cultural incapacity and blindness (Cross, Bazron, Dennis & Isaacs, 1989) by the dominant culture which have negative effects on the Maori participants including decisions to opt out of sport, feelings of hurt and frustration, a reduction in their commitment to national identity and a general sense that they are not considered as equals. The conclusion considers what is needed for New Zealand sport to become fully culturally inclusive; a situation desired by the participants and which has the potential to benefit everyone in sport.

text: Speaking the unspoken: Maori experiences of racism in New Zealand sport This research explores how being Maori influences Maori participants’ sport experiences and offers a critical Maori perspective on New Zealand sport. Ten experienced Maori sport participants were interviewed using Kaupapa Maori Research Methods which involved research performed by Maori, about Maori being Maori. This research grew out of discussions with Maori participants and explores their experiences as athletes, coaches, administrators and spectators, focusing on their interactions with Pakeha in Pakeha-dominated sport. Their experiences demonstrate personal, cultural and institutional racism in New Zealand sport and indicate how the power differentials in society impact on the ability of Maori to practice important cultural values in Pakeha-dominated contexts. I argue that racism is a factor affecting the relationships of Maori with Pakeha in key functionary positions in sport and identify a culture of denial that operates to marginalise discussions about racism generally. These participants’ experiences reflect cultural incapacity and blindness (Cross, Bazron, Dennis & Isaacs, 1989) by the dominant culture which have negative effects on the Maori participants including decisions to opt out of sport, feelings of hurt and frustration, a reduction in their commitment to national identity and a general sense that they are not considered as equals. The conclusion considers what is needed for New Zealand sport to become fully culturally inclusive; a situation desired by the participants and which has the potential to benefit everyone in sport.

year: 2010