New Marine Economy Report Launched

New Zealand's Marine Economy: 1997–2002

5 May 2006

New Marine Economy Report Launched

Statistics New Zealand today released a new report on New Zealand’s marine economy. New Zealand’s Marine Economy: 1997–2002 represents the first time Statistics New Zealand has measured the contribution of the marine environment to New Zealand's economy.

The approach taken in producing an estimate of the marine economy was to compile data on those industries identified as engaged in marine-based economic activities. This is also known as a supply-side or production-based approach. In the March 2002 year, New Zealand’s marine economy is estimated to have directly contributed around $3.3 billion, or 2.9 percent, to New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) and to have provided around 21,000 jobs. Shipping made the largest overall contribution, at 27 percent of the marine economy, and was the largest employer, with 10,000 filled jobs.

From 1997 to 2002, New Zealand’s marine economy is estimated to have increased by 28 percent (from $2.6 billion to $3.3 billion), a rate similar to growth in the total economy over the same period. New Zealand’s estimated marine economy (2.9 percent of GDP) is greater than that of the United States or Canada (1.2 percent and 1.5 percent of GDP, respectively), but less than that of the United Kingdom (4.9 percent of GDP).

The period chosen for the study (1997–2002) was determined by the availability of consistent, comparable data. Subsequent changes, such as movements in international commodity prices, or reductions in available fishing quota, could be expected to affect both the pattern of growth and the relative contribution of different activities to the marine economy. This report is part of an environmental series measuring the reliance of our economy on natural resources. New Zealand’s Marine Economy: 1997–2002 is available on the Statistics New Zealand website. Brian Pink Government Statistician

ENDS

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