NZIER 2010 Economics Award citation

The NZIER Economic Award’s Operating Guidelines enjoin the Awarding Panel to “look for outstanding contributions to the advancement of economics and its applications in New Zealand”. To qualify for the Award, a contribution “must advance economic matters of direct relevance to New Zealand”, and must be “likely to be of long term lasting importance to New Zealand”.

There can be no doubt that the work of the recipient of the 2010 Award has, for more than 20 years, dealt with “economic matters of direct relevance to New Zealand”. New Zealand’s economic performance, throughout its history as an exporter of primary products, has depended on its ability to excel in the management of a highly productive agricultural sector which is sensitive to the needs of competitive world markets. The importance of the agricultural sector has increasingly been rivalled by the rapid growth of a tourism industry providing services to both domestic and overseas markets. Both of these vital sectors depend on a productive, clean, and attractive environment. To foresee, forestall, or if necessary face, environmental problems requires successful and adaptable regulatory and market solutions.

The recipient has carried out research, and advised and taught, on the economics of environmental management. Her work has demonstrated insightful, and widely respected, expertise in the application of solutions to environmental problems. She has a commitment to raising understanding of economic principles in what has often been, in many countries, a highly contentious policy area. Her topics of research and advice have included climate change mitigation, land use change, the management of water quality, and fisheries management. That work has been characterised by an openness of mind, and a willingness to respect, consider, analyse, incorporate, adopt or reject, and disseminate, the ideas and concerns of a broad range of researchers, decision-makers and affected persons.

Above all, she has aimed to build a foundation for constructive and effective debate about policies in environmental management. She has displayed both intellectual and administrative leadership in many forums and situations, both in New Zealand, notably as founding director of Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, and overseas. She has developed an international influence in the economics of environmental management through focused research, debate, advice, education, and the unceasing pursuit of excellence in her field.

The Awarding Panel has no doubt that the recipient’s work is likely to be of long term lasting importance to New Zealand, and is an outstanding contribution to the advancement of economics and its applications in New Zealand.

The NZIER Economics Award for 2010 is accordingly given to Dr Suzi Kerr.