​The $50,000 project to assess the value of the Hauraki Gulf

The Hauraki Gulf forum takes its first steps in knowing the deeper value of the Gulf.

At the Hauraki Gulf Forum on August 22, members voted to allocate $50,000 towards an tender process for an economist to assess value of the Gulf on a broader scale.

Executive officer Alex Rogers wrote in his report that the forum had been working with “piecemeal or extractive-only valuations” for too long.

The work would establish a ‘minimum floor valuation’ and look beyond just the economic but social, well being and cultural value of the Hauraki Gulf.

At the meeting Rogers said the valuation would look at a rough flow of value over a year and expected it to be a large figure.

“We are looking for quite an unusual economist,” to take on the work Rogers said.

Co-chair Pippa Coom said the valuation would put the Hauraki Gulf Forum in a better position to advocate.

“The forums modest investment will lead to greater things,” Coom said.
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The work is expected to start in October with the final report delivered by April 2023.