Real World Economics 2013
MADE Projects was re-branded into Real World Economics (RWE) in 2013. This brought together the first RWE Project presentation evening, held on 10th of October. This evening showcased the hard work and commitment of all ten completed projects over the second semester.
MADE would like to congratulate Education α and Education β on their outstanding work over the semester which resulted in joint first place.
The following list is a summary of projects completed in 2013.
MADE would like to congratulate Education α and Education β on their outstanding work over the semester which resulted in joint first place.
The following list is a summary of projects completed in 2013.
Project Summaries
Education alpha (Joint-First Place)
Will the introduction of partnership schools into the New Zealand schooling system be beneficial?
Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are run like private schools, ie have the ability to set their own examination systems and so on. In New Zealand this model of School will be called a partnership school.
This group has done a lot of research on international experience specifically in Canada and the three largest charter schools in the US. Comparing the benefits of such schools to public schools. Benefits being measured as grades and college graduation rates, costs being primarily the opportunity cost of funding such schools.
Will the introduction of partnership schools into the New Zealand schooling system be beneficial?
Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are run like private schools, ie have the ability to set their own examination systems and so on. In New Zealand this model of School will be called a partnership school.
This group has done a lot of research on international experience specifically in Canada and the three largest charter schools in the US. Comparing the benefits of such schools to public schools. Benefits being measured as grades and college graduation rates, costs being primarily the opportunity cost of funding such schools.
Education Beta (Joint-First Place)
Monetary returns to Tertiary education.
Comparing the monetary and employment prospects for graduate university students from across New Zealand over the main faculties. Benefits will be measured against the costs of tuition and student loans at several of the largest universities across the country. The group is attempting to have some form of time series data, where they will be able to plot the changes in benefits and costs over a period of say a decade.
Monetary returns to Tertiary education.
Comparing the monetary and employment prospects for graduate university students from across New Zealand over the main faculties. Benefits will be measured against the costs of tuition and student loans at several of the largest universities across the country. The group is attempting to have some form of time series data, where they will be able to plot the changes in benefits and costs over a period of say a decade.
Environment (Second Place)
New Zealand’s environmental image and what it means for the country.
Examining the sensitivity of our exports and tourism sector to changes in the perception of New Zealand’s environmental conditions. The group is also performing a case study on the impact of plastic bags in New Zealand and what the possible benefits and costs could be if they were banned or taxed such as in South Korea and Ireland.
New Zealand’s environmental image and what it means for the country.
Examining the sensitivity of our exports and tourism sector to changes in the perception of New Zealand’s environmental conditions. The group is also performing a case study on the impact of plastic bags in New Zealand and what the possible benefits and costs could be if they were banned or taxed such as in South Korea and Ireland.
Housing (Third Place)
What can be done about the housing difficulties in New Zealand?
(particular focus on Auckland) The group has started off by comparing the average costs of purchasing a house with simply renting in the three main centers around New Zealand. The group will then proceed to tackle the problem of housing cost through examine the implications of a capital gains tax or exempting the inflations component of savings deposits. There will also be some dedication to the RBNZ’s 20% deposit legislation.
What can be done about the housing difficulties in New Zealand?
(particular focus on Auckland) The group has started off by comparing the average costs of purchasing a house with simply renting in the three main centers around New Zealand. The group will then proceed to tackle the problem of housing cost through examine the implications of a capital gains tax or exempting the inflations component of savings deposits. There will also be some dedication to the RBNZ’s 20% deposit legislation.
Other Projects
Transport
What can be done about congestion and commute difficulties into the Auckland CBD?
Aucklander’s have a real problem with commuting. The group is looking at what other cities have done to minimize traffic congestion such congestion taxed like similar to that of London and where and what needs to be done to public transport to improve efficiency.
Australia
Australia, is it worth it?
Examining the cost and income differences across the Tasman, this includes average costs of living in the 3 main centers of New Zealand compared with Melbourne and Sydney. The group will then calculate taxation and costs of living differences to approximate an increase or decrease in nominal income required to achieve the same after tax after cost of living income level. The group is also examining Australian treatment of Kiwis with regards to exclusion of many transfer benefits.
Currency
Would we benefit from a currency union with Australia?
Looking at what impacts would occur on New Zealand if we formed some kind of currency union with Australia. The Group is looking at three proposed forms of union and each of their merits and drawbacks. The group will also look at what is necessary for a currency union to be successful and how the Australasian currency union would be different from the EU.
Assets
Public education on the asset sales.
There was a great deal of confusion on the recent assets this group is attempting to clear up some of this confusion with an analysis of what the government is planning with the asset sales, why they are selling them and what they befits and potential costs are of such sales.
Energy
The Labour/Greens monopsony proposal
A review of the proposal by the Labour Greens for a government operated monopsony on electricity. The group is attempting to perform a cost benefit analysis of the proposal examining international cases where this has occurred and other alternative ideas such as a subsidy for low income households.
Health
Alternative health care models
New Zealand has an aging population, the current model of health care will likely cripple the economy. What can be done to improve healthcare efficiency? The group is looking at Integrated family health care centers where the process is much more personalized than what is currently being used. The group is producing costs and benefits of this proposed model and how it fits into our evolutionary tendencies and how a departure from these tendencies in our daily life has led to many of the health problems we experience today.
If you are interested in learning about what these groups discovered from their research reports please contact us at [email protected] to be sent further information.
What can be done about congestion and commute difficulties into the Auckland CBD?
Aucklander’s have a real problem with commuting. The group is looking at what other cities have done to minimize traffic congestion such congestion taxed like similar to that of London and where and what needs to be done to public transport to improve efficiency.
Australia
Australia, is it worth it?
Examining the cost and income differences across the Tasman, this includes average costs of living in the 3 main centers of New Zealand compared with Melbourne and Sydney. The group will then calculate taxation and costs of living differences to approximate an increase or decrease in nominal income required to achieve the same after tax after cost of living income level. The group is also examining Australian treatment of Kiwis with regards to exclusion of many transfer benefits.
Currency
Would we benefit from a currency union with Australia?
Looking at what impacts would occur on New Zealand if we formed some kind of currency union with Australia. The Group is looking at three proposed forms of union and each of their merits and drawbacks. The group will also look at what is necessary for a currency union to be successful and how the Australasian currency union would be different from the EU.
Assets
Public education on the asset sales.
There was a great deal of confusion on the recent assets this group is attempting to clear up some of this confusion with an analysis of what the government is planning with the asset sales, why they are selling them and what they befits and potential costs are of such sales.
Energy
The Labour/Greens monopsony proposal
A review of the proposal by the Labour Greens for a government operated monopsony on electricity. The group is attempting to perform a cost benefit analysis of the proposal examining international cases where this has occurred and other alternative ideas such as a subsidy for low income households.
Health
Alternative health care models
New Zealand has an aging population, the current model of health care will likely cripple the economy. What can be done to improve healthcare efficiency? The group is looking at Integrated family health care centers where the process is much more personalized than what is currently being used. The group is producing costs and benefits of this proposed model and how it fits into our evolutionary tendencies and how a departure from these tendencies in our daily life has led to many of the health problems we experience today.
If you are interested in learning about what these groups discovered from their research reports please contact us at [email protected] to be sent further information.