Pureora Forest Park: costs and benefits

Abstract

The government decision to change the orientation of the Pureora forests from commercial exploitation to recreation management and conservation had a number of far reaching consequences. This study evaluates the economic and social costs of the government decision and the benefits that were likely to accrue. Field interviews were conducted with 24 of the 32 workers from the Barryville mill, which was forced to close as a result of the decision. The majority of workers and their families benefited from relocation to other centres, both financially and socially. The economic cost of the government decision was estimated at $2 million. The value to the nation of the unlogged forests at Pureora exceeds the costs incurred in preservation.