Life is complicated and so is environmental management. My consultancy sits firmly at the interface between economics, policy and science. I work hard across these disciplines to build understanding and share it clearly and coherently.

Undertaking research to characterise Taranaki’s and Marlborough’s economies from a freshwater management perspective. Both research projects have relied on microeconomic and macroeconomic datasets as well as interviews with farmers and growers.

Developed and led a two-year work programme designed to inform Otago Regional Council’s proposed Land and Water Plan. The programme involved running a Technical Advisory Group made up of six primary industry groups as well as working together with Aukaha and Te Ao Marama on the Kai Tahu Economy in Otago.

Initiating the policy and economic work for the setting of environmental limits for fresh water in Southland under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.

Designing Southland’s Regional Forum (a collaborative group for freshwater), and being the policy and economic lead for this group.

Leading Local Government New Zealand’s economic impact assessment of Action for Healthy Waterways (part of Central Government’s Essential Freshwater Programme).

Advising Central Government on economic impacts of Action for Healthy Waterways.

Undertaking economic analysis for the Regional Sector Chief Executives on Central Government’s 3 Waters Review.

Leading the Southland Economic Project, which was a 5-year joint venture to develop that produced research on agriculture, forestry, wastewater, stormwater, and local communities. More at https://www.es.govt.nz/environment/economy

Conceiving and initiating the Land Use Map for Southland in 2014, which is now a valuable tool for managing environmental issues and spatial planning.

Initiating and leading a Working Group on Farm Debt with stakeholders including major banks, agricultural service providers, and industry groups.

Initiating and undertaking primary research into the history of winter grazing in Southland.

Communicating with different audiences on the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) and initiating research into te Ohanga ki Murihiku (the economy of Murihiku).

Advising the Ministry for the Environment on their section 32 guidance and a peer reviewer of their guidance on economic analysis for the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

Advising Central Government’s Water Directorate on their economic assessment of the national “bottom-lines” for the NPS-FM 2014.

Developing policy for managing solid waste and land contamination, as well as water shortages and community water supplies.