Economic Geography
Motu’s economic geography research has a spatial or local focus. This section describes our programmes on infrastructure, agglomeration, New Zealand regions and our place in the world economy.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2011. "Building Bridges: Treating a New Transport Link as a Real Option," European Regional Science Association Congress, Barcelona, 30 August-3 September 2011.
- Maré, David C., and Andrew Coleman. 2011. "The Determinants of Firm Location in Auckland," New Zealand Association of Economists Annual Conference, Wellington, 29 June-1 July 2011.
- Maré, David C., and Andrew Coleman. "Patterns of Business Location in Auckland," New Zealand Association of Economists Annual Conference, Wellington, 29 June-1 July 2011.
- Coleman, Andrew, and David C. Maré. 2011. "Preferences, Location Choices and the Residential Composition of Cities," New Zealand Association of Economists Annual Conference, Wellington, 29 June-1 July 2011. Available online from http://www.nzae.org.nz/conferences/2011/programme.html.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2011. "Warming Up New Zealand: Impacts of the New Zealand Insulation Fund on Household Energy Use," New Zealand Association of Economists Annual Conference, Wellington, 29 June-1 July 2011.
- Cochrane, William, Arthur Grimes, Philip McCann & Jacques Poot. "The Spatial Impact of Local Infrastructural Investment in New Zealand". Paper presented to North American Regional Science Conference, November 2009.
- Coleman, Andrew. 2010. "Transport infrastructure, 'lock-out' and urban form," IPS/Motu Infrastructure Workshop, Wellington, July 2010.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2010. "Motu FRST Infrastructure Programme: Key Findings & New Questions," IPS/Motu Infrastructure Workshop, July.
- Grimes, Auckland. 2010. "Is Auckland a knowledge economy?" Auckland Public Policy Seminar Series, May.
- Kerr, Suzi. 2009. "Climate change policy: stepping back and moving forward," Motu Economic and Public Policy Seminar, May.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2009. 'The Role of Infrastructure in Developing New Zealand's Economy,' Auckland Public Policy Seminar Series, March.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2008. "The Role of Infrastructure In Developing New Zealand's Economy," paper presented to Institute of Policy Studies Spring 2008 Lecture Series: New Zealand: Future Maker or Future Taker? Wellington, 16 September.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2007. "Impacts of Land Availability, Housing Supply and Planning Infrastructure on New Zealand House Prices," paper presented to The Treasury & The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Conference: The Business Cycle, Housing and the Role of Policy, Wellington, December 2007.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2007. "Transformative Transport: Transport and Economic Transformation," paper presented at Transport - The Next 50 Years conference, Christchurch, July 2007.
- Fabling, Richard. 2007. "The performance of New Zealand exporters: Some firm-level evidence," Motu Public Policy Seminar, December.
- Maré, David C. 2012. “City Networks: Know Your Place,” Auckland Two Years On – A Metropolitan Centre Emerges, Institute of Public Administration New Zealand conference, Auckland, 10 December 2012; and New Zealand Productivity Commission.
- McCann, Philip. 2009. "Economic geography, globalisation and New Zealand's productivity paradox," Motu Public Policy Seminar, December.
- Maré, David C. 2009. "Labour productivity in Auckland firms: There’s something about the city," Motu Public Policy Seminar, October.
- David C. Maré. 2009. “Productivity in Auckland firms: there’s something about the city,” Auckland Public Policy Seminar, July.
- Sheppard, Stephen. 2009. “The Economics of Liveable and Sustainable Cities,” Motu Public Policy Seminar, June.
- Maré, David. C. 2004. "Concentration, Specialisation and Agglomeration of Firms in New Zealand," paper presented to the NZAE Conference, Wellington, July, 2004.
- Poot, Jacques. 2007. "Twenty years of econometric research on trans-Tasman migration," Motu Public Policy Seminar, November.
- Gunningham, Neil. 2007. "Innovative governance and smart regulation: institutional and regulatory regimes for a water-constrained world," Motu/Landcare Research seminar, December.
- Clark, William A. V. 2008. "Spatial Relocation as an Instrument of Social Policy," Motu Public Policy Seminar, July.
- Andrew Coleman
- Arthur Grimes
- Dave Maré
- Fabling, Richard, Arthur Grimes and Lynda Sanderson. 2013. “Any Port in a Storm: Impacts of New Port Infrastructure on Exporter Behaviour,” Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 49:1, pp. 33–47.
- Maré, David C. and Richard Fabling. 2013. “Productivity and Local Workforce Composition,” in Geography, Institutions and Regional Economic Performance, R. Crescenzi and M. Percoco, Eds. Berlin and New York: Springer.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2013. “Infrastructure and Regional Growth,” Chapter 28, Handbook of Regional Science, M. Fischer and P. Nijkamp, Eds. Berlin: Springer Verlag.
- Roskruge, Matthew, Arthur Grimes, Philip McCann and Jacques Poot. 2012. "Social Capital and Regional Social Infrastructure Investment: Evidence from New Zealand," International Regional Science Review 35:1, pp. 3–25.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2012. "Optimal Infrastructure Adaptation to Climate Change," Motu Note #11, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Grimes, Arthur, Cleo Ren and Philip Stevens. 2012. "The Need for Speed: Impacts of Internet Connectivity on Firm Productivity," Journal of Productivity Analysis, 37:2, pp. 187–201.
- Coleman, Andrew. 2012. "The Effect of Transport Infrastructure on Home Production Activity: Evidence from Rural New York, 1825–1845," Motu Working Paper 12-01, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Grimes, Arthur, and Chris Young. 2011. "Spatial Effects of 'Mill' Closures: Does Distance Matter?" Australasian Journal of Regional Science 17:2, pp. 262–97.
- Maré, Dave, and Andrew Coleman. 2011. "Patterns of Population Location in Auckland," Motu Research Update 21, pp. 1-2.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2011. "Building Bridges: Treating a New Transport Link as a Real Option," Motu Working Paper 11-12, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2011. "Looking Forward After the Quake," Motu Research Update 20, pp. 4-5
- Grimes, Arthur, Jason Le Vaillant and Philip McCann. 2011. "Auckland's Knowledge Economy: Australasian and European Comparisons," MED Occasional Paper 11/02, Ministry of Economic Development, Wellington. Available online from http://www.med.govt.nz/about-us/publications/publications-by-topic/occasional-papers/11-02-pdf/view
- Maré, David C., and Richard Fabling. "Productivity and Local Workforce Composition," Motu Working Paper 11-10, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Maré, David C., and Andrew Coleman. 2011. "Patterns of Business Location in Auckland," Motu Working Paper 11-08, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Maré, David C., and Andrew Coleman. 2011. "Estimating the Determinants of Population Location in Auckland," Motu Working Paper 11-07, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington
- Maré, David C., Andrew Coleman and Ruth Pinkerton. 2011. "Patterns of Population Location in Auckland," Motu Working Paper 11-06, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2011. "Making Multiple Places into a Place: Infrastructure Governance and Planning in Auckland," in Investing in Better Places: International Perspectives, Sharon Chisholm, Ed. London: The Smith Institute, pp. 69-78.
- Fabling, Richard, Arthur Grimes and Lynda Sanderson. 2011. "Any Port in a Storm? The Impact of New Port Infrastructure on New Zealand Exporter Behaviour," Reserve Bank of New Zealand Discussion Paper DP2011/01, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Wellington. Available online at http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/research/discusspapers/dp2011.html
- Grimes, Arthur. January 2011. "Strategic Transport Choices," Motu Note #5, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington
- Grimes, Arthur. 2010. "Is Fibre Good for Us?" Competition and Regulation Times 31, Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation, pp. 6–7. Available online at http://iscr.org.nz/n562.html.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2010. "Planning New Infrastructure: Some Issues," Policy Quarterly 6:4, pp. 9–13. Available online at http://ips.ac.nz/publications/publications/show/306
- Grimes, Arthur. 2010. "Infrastructure: New Findings for New Zealand," Policy Quarterly 6:4, pp. 3–8. Available online at http://ips.ac.nz/publications/publications/show/306.
- Grimes, Arthur and Yun Liang. 2010. "Bridge to Somewhere: Valuing Auckland's Northern Motorway Extensions," Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 44:3, pp. 287–315.
- Stillman, Steven, Malathi Velamuri and Andrew Aitken. 2010. "The Long-Run Impact of New Zealand's Structural Reform on Local Communities," Journal of Comparative Economics, 38:4, pp. 432-48.
- Grimes, Arthur, and Chris Young. 2010. "Anticipatory Effects of Rail Upgrades," Motu Research Update 19, p. 8.
- Coleman, Andrew. 2010. "Transport Infrastructure, Lock-Out and Urban Form: Highway Development in Auckland and the United States", Policy Quarterly, 6:4, pp. 23-7. Available online at http://ips.ac.nz/publications/publications/show/306
- Coleman, Andrew. November 2010. "Transport infrastructure, lock-out, and urban form: Highway development in Auckland and the United States," Motu Note #4.
- Cochrane, William; Arthur Grimes; Phillip McCann and Jacques Poot. 2010. "The Spatial Impact of Local Infrastructural Investment in New Zealand," Motu Working Paper 10-12.
- Grimes, Arthur and Chris Young. "Anticipatory Effects of Rail Upgrades: Auckland's Western Line 2010," Motu Working Paper 10-11, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Grimes, Arthur & Yun Liang. 2010. "Spatial Determinants of Land Prices: Does Auckland's Metropolitan Urban Limit Have an Effect?", Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy 2:1, pp. 23-45.
- Howell, Bronwyn & Arthur Grimes. 2010. "Productivity Questions for Public Sector Fast Fibre Network Financiers", Communications and Strategies 78:2, pp. 127-45.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2010. "The Economics of Infrastructure Investment: Beyond Simple Cost Benefit Analysis". Motu Working Paper 10-05.
- Roskruge, Matthew; Arthur Grimes, Philip McCann and Jacques Poot. 2010. "Social capital and regional social infrastructure investment: Evidence from New Zealand," Motu Working Paper 10-03.
- Maré, David C., Arthur Grimes and Melanie Morten. 2009. "Adjustment in Local Labour and Housing Markets," Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 15:2, pp. 229–248.
- Grimes, Arthur, David C. Maré and Melanie Morten. 2009. "Defining areas and linking geographical data: an example from New Zealand," Population, Space and Place, 16:2, pp. 165–170.
- Grimes, Arthur; Cleo Ren and Philip Stevens. 2009. "The Need for Speed: Impacts of Internet Connectivity on Firm Productivity," Motu Working Paper 09-15.
- Coleman, Andrew and Arthur Grimes. 2009. "Fiscal, Distributional and Efficiency Impacts of Land and Property Taxes," Motu Working Paper 09-14.
- Grimes, Arthur and Chris Young. 2009. "Spatial Effects of 'Mill' Closures: Does Distance Matter?" Motu Working Paper 09-12, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, Wellington.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2009. 'The Role of Infrastructure in Developing New Zealand's Economy,' Motu Note #1.
- Gibson, John and Steven Stillman. 2009. "Why Do Big Firms Pay Higher Wages? Evidence from an International Database," Review of Economics and Statistics 91:1, 213–218.
- Grimes, Arthur and Yun Liang. 2008. "Bridge to Somewhere: The Value of Auckland's Northern Motorway Extensions," Motu Working Paper 08-07.
- Velamuri, Malathi; Steven Stillman and Andrew Aitken. 2008. "The Long-Run Impact of New Zealand's Structural Reform on Local Communities," Motu Working Paper 08-11.
- Grimes, Arthur and Andrew Aitken. 2008. "Water, Water Somewhere: The Value of Water in a Drought-Prone Farming Region," Motu Working Paper 08-10.
- Grimes, Arthur, Lydia Wevers and Ginny Sullivan Eds. 2002. States of Mind: Australia and New Zealand 1901-2001. Wellington: Institute of Policy Studies.
- Lewis, Geoff and Steven Stillman. 2007. "Regional Economic Performance in New Zealand: How Does Auckland Compare?" New Zealand Economic Papers, 41:1, pp. 29-68.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2007. "Trans-Tasman Shocks: A Mediating Role for the NZDAUD," New Zealand Economics Papers, 41:2, pp. 237-250.
- Grimes, Arthur and Yun Liang. 2007. "Spatial Determinants of Land Prices in Auckland: Does the Metropolitan Urban Limit Have an Effect," Motu Working Paper 07-09.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2006. "Intra and Inter-Regional Industry Shocks: A New Metric with Application to Australasian Currency Union," New Zealand Economic Papers, 40:1, pp 23-44.
- Grimes, Arthur; David C. Maré and Melanie Morten. 2006. "Defining Areas: Linking Geographic Data in New Zealand," Motu Working Paper 06-07.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2005. "Regional and Industry Cycles in Australasia: Implications for a Common Currency," Journal of Asian Economics, 16:3, pp.380-397.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2005. "New Zealand: A Typical Australasian Economy?" in The Visible Hand: The Changing Role of the State in New Zealand, Andrew Ladley and John Martin, Eds. Wellington: Institute of Policy Studies.
- Grimes, Arthur and Richard Fabling. 2005. "Insolvency and Economic Development: Regional Variation and Adjustment," Journal of Economics and Business, 57:4, pp. 339-359.
- Lewis, Geoff and Steven Stillman. 2005. "Regional Economic Performance in New Zealand: How Does Auckland Compare?" New Zealand Treasury Working Paper 05/08.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2005. "Intra and Inter-Regional Industry Shocks: A New Metric with an Application to Australasian Currency Union," Motu Working Paper 05-03.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2005. "Regional and Industry Cycles in Australasia: Implications for a Common Currency," Motu Working Paper 05-04.
- Björksten, Nils; Özer Karagedikli, Christopher Plantier and Arthur Grimes. 2004. "What Does the Taylor Rule Say About New Zealand-Australia Currency Union?" Economic Record, 80:1, pp. S34-S42.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2004. "New Zealand: A Typical Australasian Economy?" Motu Working Paper 04-11.
- Hall, Viv and John McDermott. 2004. "Regional Business Cycles in New Zealand: Do They Exist? What Might Drive Them?" Motu Working Paper 04-10.
- Björksten, Nils; Arthur Grimes, Özer Karagedikli and Christopher Plantier. 2003. "What Can the Taylor Rule Tell Us About a Currency Union Between New Zealand and Australia?" Reserve Bank of New Zealand Discussion Paper DP2004/05 (June).
- Fabling, Richard and Arthur Grimes. 2003. "Insolvency and Economic Development: Regional Variation and Adjustment," Motu Working Paper 03-18.
- Grimes, Arthur. 2002. "Living Arrangements for the Tasman Currencies: De Facto Partners, Legal Marriage or Just Good Friends" in States of Mind: Australia and New Zealand 1901-2001, Arthur Grimes, Lydia Wevers & Ginny Sullivan, Eds. Wellington: Institute of Policy Studies, pp. 271-291.
- Grimes, Arthur; Frank Holmes and Roger Bowden. 2000. An ANZAC Dollar: Currency Union and Business Development, Wellington: Institute of Policy Studies.
- Maré, David C., and D. J. Graham. 2013. “Agglomeration Elasticities and Firm Heterogeneity,” Journal of Urban Economics 75, pp. 44–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jue.2012.12.002
- Maré, David C. and Graham, D. J. 2010. “Agglomeration Elasticities and Firm Heterogeneity”, SERC Discussion Paper 43, London School of Economics, London (January).
- Maré, David C. and Daniel J. Graham. 2009. "Agglomeration Elasticities in New Zealand," Motu Working Paper 09-06.
- Poot, Jacques. 2009. "Trans-Tasman Migration, Transnationalism and Economic Development in Australasia," Motu Working Paper 09-05.
- Maré, David C. 2008. "Labour Productivity in Auckland Firms," Motu Working Paper 08-12.
- Maré, David C. 2008. "Labour Productivity in Auckland Firms," MED Occasional Paper 08/09, Ministry of Economic Development, Wellington.
- Maré, David C. and Jason Timmins. 2006. "Geographic Concentration and Firm Productivity," Motu Working Paper 06-08.
- Maré, David C. 2005. "Concentration, Specialisation and Agglomeration of firms in New Zealand," Motu Working Paper 05-12.
- Poland, Michelle and David C. Maré. 2005. "Defining Geographic Communities," Motu Working Paper 05-09.
- Timmins, Jason. 2005. "Is Infrastructure Productive? Evaluating the Effects of Specific Infrastructure Projects on Firm Productivity Within New Zealand," Motu Working Paper 05-14.
- Maré, David C. 2004. "Geographic Concentration of New Zealand Employment" in Labour Employment and Work in New Zealand: 2004, S. Blumenfeld and P. Morrison, Eds. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington.
- Karagedikli, Özer; David C. Maré and Jacques Poot. 2003. "Description and Analysis of Changes in New Zealand Regional Income Distributions, 1981-1996" in The State, Economic Development and Ethnic Co-existence in Malaysia and New Zealand CEDR, E. Gomez and R. Stephens, Eds. Kuala Lumpar: University of Malaya.
- Timmins, Jason and David C. Maré. 2003. "Moving to Jobs? Regional Employment Growth and Internal Migration 1986-2000," Public Sector, 26:1, pp. 16-18. Earlier version published as Motu Working paper 03-07.
- Maré, David C. and Jason Timmins. 2003. "Moving to Jobs," Motu Working Paper 03-07.
- Choy, Wai Kin; David C. Maré and Peter Mawson. 2002. "Modelling Regional Labour Market Adjustment in New Zealand," New Zealand Treasury Working Paper 02/01 (March).
- Karagedikli, Ozer; David C. Maré and Jacques Poot. 2001. "Disparities and Despair: Changes in Regional Income Distributions in New Zealand 1981-96," Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 6:3, pp. 323-47.
- Maré, David C.; Peter Mawson and Jason Timmins. 2001. "Deprivation in New Zealand: Regional patterns and changes," New Zealand Treasury Working Paper 01/09.
- Glaeser, Edward and David C. Maré. 2001. "Cities and Skills," Journal of Labor Economics, 19:2, pp. 316-42.
- Maré, David C. and Wai Kin Choy. 2001. "Regional Labour Market Adjustment and the Movements of People: A Review," New Zealand Treasury Working Paper 01-08.
- Maré, David C. and Wai Kin Choy. 2000. "Regional Labour Market Adjustment and the Movements of People" in Labour Employment and Work in New Zealand: 2000, P. Morrison, Ed. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington.
- Maré, David. C. and Jason Timmins. 2000. "Internal Migration and Regional Adjustment: Some Preliminary Issues" in Labour Employment and Work in New Zealand: 2000, P. Morrison, Ed. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington.
Infrastructure
Motu has been awarded a four year, $1.6 million grant from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology for research into net benefits provided by New Zealand’s infrastructure. The research will cover a range of infrastructure investments including roads, rail, irrigation, telecommunications, social services such as health, and processing plants.
Agglomeration
An agglomeration is a continuous urban settlement. Motu’s agglomeration research focuses on Auckland - New Zealand’s largest city. This research programme considers the benefits of locating close together for firms and for individuals. Publications on this page explore differences in wages, labour productivity and firm performance across urban areas in New Zealand.
New Zealand, Australasia and the World
Motu’s research addresses economic issues at regional, trans-tasman and world levels. This section lists all publications addressing these topics. More information is available by following the links below.