This paper estimates the effect of introducing unit pricing for municipal domestic waste collection and disposal in Christchurch. The price effect is shown in a demand model estimation using data collected in a contingent valuation survey of Christchurch households conducted in 2003. The results...

This comment argues that Ian King's (2002) ranking of research records in New Zealand economics departments is an example of A. N. Whitehead's (1953) 'misplaced concreteness'. Nearly 60 per cent of the total scores calculated by King are due to just five academic stars, all of whom published...

The escalating economic and environmental costs associated with energy use, in conjunction with the energy sector reforms, have lead to increased interest in residential energy efficiency. The current paper uses a diffusion of innovations approach to develop qualitative choice models for the...

Preferences for changes to public expenditures were evaluated using a choice experiment. Results indicate potential efficiency gains from reallocation of expenditures to items with higher marginal welfare. In particular, respondents were found to prefer more spending on health, education and the...