Dr Paul Thorsnes, Our people, Department of Economics

PhD, University of Oregon

Tel: 64 3 479 8359
Email: paul.thorsnes@otago.ac.nz
Room 523, 5th Floor, Otago Business School

Paul's research interests are primarily in the areas of urban and environmental economics and policy. Topics of recent and current research include study of interactions among urban amenities (local public goods) and residential development patterns, estimates of the values of urban amenities using data from house sales and stated choice surveys, and studies of variation in stated and revealed preferences for household energy-efficiency retrofits. Paul's teaching interests are in applied microeconomics, urban economics, and environmental economics.

Selected publications

Thorsnes, Paul, Robert Alexander and David Kidson (2015), “Low-income housing in high-amenity areas: Long-run effects on residential development,” Urban Studies, 52(2): 261-278.

Thorsnes, Paul and Tim Bishop (2013) “The value of basic building code insulation,” Energy Economics, 37: 68-81.

Thorsnes, Paul, John Williams and Rob Lawson (2012), "Consumer responses to time varying prices for electricity," Energy Policy, 49(1): 552-561.

Moore, Terry and Paul Thorsnes, with Bruce Appleyard (2007), The Transportation/Land Use Connection, Chicago: American Planning Association.

Thorsnes, Paul and John Reifel (2007), "Tiebout dynamics: Neighbourhood response to a central-city/suburban house-price differential," Journal of Regional Science, 47(4): 693-719.

McMillen, Daniel P. and Paul Thorsnes (2006), "Housing renovations and the quantile repeat sales price index", Real Estate Economics, 34(4): 567-584.

McMillen, Daniel P. and Paul Thorsnes (2003). "The aroma of Tacoma: Time varying average derivatives and the effect of a Superfund site on housing prices," Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, Vol. 21(2), pp. 237-246.

Thorsnes, Paul (2002), "The value of a suburban forest preserve: Estimates from sales of vacant residential building lots," Land Economics, Vol. 78(3), pp. 426-441.

Thorsnes, Paul (2000). "Internalizing neighbourhood externalities: The effect of subdivision size and zoning on residential lot prices," Journal of Urban Economics, Vol. 48, pp. 397-418.

Thorsnes, Paul and Daniel P. McMillen (1998). "Land value and parcel size: A semiparametric analysis," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Vol. 17, pp. 233-244.

Thorsnes, Paul (1997). "Consistent estimates of the elasticity of substitution between land and non-land inputs in the production of housing," Journal of Urban Economics, Vol. 42, pp. 98-108.

Teaching responsibilities

Paul's teaching responsibilities include:

Publications

Fernandez, M. A., Sanchez, G., & Thorsnes, P. (2023). The amenity value of constructed wetlands. Australian Journal of Agricultural & Resource Economics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/1467-8489.12549 Journal - Research Article

Moore, A., Nguyen, Q., Diaz-Rainey, I., Cox, S., Bodeker, G., & Thorsnes, P. (2022). Modelling the effect of climate change-related flooding hazards (CCRFH) on coastal residential property values. Proceedings of the New Zealand Geospatial Research Conference (NZGRC). Retrieved from https://geocollaboratory.massey.ac.nz/new-zealand-geospatial-research-conference-2022 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Nguyen, Q., Thorsnes, P., Diaz-Rainey, I., Moore, A., Cox, S., & Stirk-Wang, L. (2022). Price recovery after the flood: Risk to residential property values from climate change-related flooding. Australian Journal of Agricultural & Resource Economics, 66, 532-560. doi: 10.1111/1467-8489.12471 Journal - Research Article

Nguyen, Q., Diaz-Rainey, I., Moore, T., Thorsnes, P., Cox, S., McKenzie, L., & Stirk-Wang, L. (2019). Risk to residential property values from climate change-related flooding hazards: A mixed methods approach. SSRN. 71p. Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3489445 Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Thorsnes, P., Lawson, R., & Stephenson, J. (2017). Household preferences for energy efficient space and water heating systems [Economics Discussion Papers No. 1713]. Dunedin, New Zealand: School of Business, University of Otago. 38p. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/7793 Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

2023

Journal - Research Article

2022

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2019

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

2017

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Stirk-Wang, L., & Thorsnes, P. (2017). Geographic variation in intra-city house price appreciation over the boom-bust cycle: Evidence from Auckland, NZ [Economics Discussion Papers No. 1714]. Dunedin, New Zealand: School of Business, University of Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/7795

2016

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Thorsnes, P. (2016, July). Helping householders choose: Variation in preferences for aspects of energy-efficiency improvements. Verbal presentation at the Energy Cultures Conference: Sustainable Energy Futures: Understanding Behaviour and Supporting Transitions, Wellington, New Zealand.

Commissioned Report for External Body

Stephenson, J., Barton, B., Carrington, G., Hopkins, D., Lavelle, M. J., Lawson, R., … Scott, M., Thorsnes, P., Walton, S., & Wooliscroft, B. (2016). Energy Cultures policy briefs. Dunedin, New Zealand: Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago. 26p. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/7104

2015

Journal - Research Article

Chhun, S., Kahui, V., Moller, H., & Thorsnes, P. (2015). Advancing marine policy toward ecosystem-based management by eliciting public preferences. Marine Resource Economics, 30(3), 261-275. doi: 10.1086/681052

Stephenson, J., Barton, B., Carrington, G., Doering, A., Ford, R., Hopkins, D., Lawson, R., McCarthy, A., … Scott, M., Thorsnes, P., Walton, S., Williams, J., & Wooliscroft, B. (2015). The energy cultures framework: Exploring the role of norms, practices and material culture in shaping energy behaviour in New Zealand. Energy Research & Social Science, 7, 117-123. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2015.03.005

Thorsnes, P., Alexander, R., & Kidson, D. (2015). Low-income housing in high-amenity areas: Long-run effects on residential development. Urban Studies, 52(2), 261-278. doi: 10.1177/0042098014528999

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Smith, I. J., Bishop, T. W., Wakes, S., Thorsnes, P., Callau, M. F., Lloyd, R., & Carruthers, M. A. (2015). Energy efficiency retrofits of older houses: will these result in an energy transition? Proceedings of the Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Symposium. (pp. 11). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/oerc/

2014

Journal - Research Article

Hansen, P., Kergozou, N., Knowles, S., & Thorsnes, P. (2014). Developing countries in need: Which characteristics appeal most to people when donating money? Journal of Development Studies, 50(11), 1494-1509. doi: 10.1080/00220388.2014.925542

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Ford, R., Sumavsky, O., Clarke, A., & Thorsnes, P. (2014). Personalized energy priorities: A user-centric application for energy advice. In A. Marcus (Ed.), Design, user experience, and usability: User experience design for everyday life applications and services: Lecture notes in computer science (Vol. 8519). (pp. 542-553). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hansen, P., Kergozou, N., Knowles, S., & Thorsnes, P. (2014). Developing countries in need: Which characteristics appeal most to people when donating money? Proceedings of the 7th Annual Otago International Health Research Network (OIHRN) Conference. (pp. 10). Retrieved from http://dnmeds.otago.ac.nz/departments/psm/research/international_hlth/conference/index.html

2013

Journal - Research Article

Chhun, S., Thorsnes, P., & Moller, H. (2013). Preferences for management of near-shore marine ecosystems: A choice experiment in New Zealand. Resources, 2(3), 406-438. doi: 10.3390/resources2030406

Thorsnes, P., & Bishop, T. (2013). The value of basic building code insulation. Energy Economics, 37, 68-81. doi: 10.1016/j.eneco.2013.02.001

Commissioned Report for External Body

Barton, B., Blackwell, S., Carrington, G., Ford, R., Lawson, R., Stephenson, J., Thorsnes, P., & Williams, J. (2013). Energy cultures: Implications for policymakers. Dunedin, New Zealand: Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago. 37p.

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Hansen, P., Kergozou, N., Knowles, S., & Thorsnes, P. (2013). Developing countries in need: Which characteristics appeal most to people when donating money? [Economics Discussion Papers No. 1312]. Dunedin, New Zealand: School of Business, University of Otago. 32p.

2012

Journal - Research Article

Thorsnes, P., Williams, J., & Lawson, R. (2012). Consumer responses to time varying prices for electricity. Energy Policy, 49, 552-561. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.06.062

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Chhun, S., Moller, H., Thorsnes, P., & Kahui, V. (2012). Public and ethnic preferences and values of marine ecosystem attributes: Results from a choice experiment in Aotearoa New Zealand. Proceedings of the New Zealand Geographical Society Conference: 'Connecting Landscapes'. (pp. 36). Retrieved from http://www.nzgs.co.nz/

2011

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Stephenson, J., Lawson, R., Carrington, G., Barton, B., & Thorsnes, P. (2011). Energy cultures: A framework for interdisciplinary research. In B. Moshfegh (Ed.), Proceedings of the World Renewable Energy Congress. (pp. 1023-1030). Linköping, Sweden: Linköping University Electronic Press. [Full Paper]

Grieve, C., Henry, J., Lawson, R., & Thorsnes, P. (2011). Understanding resistance to the adoption of energy efficient technologies. In A. Patterson & S. Oakes (Eds.), Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Conference (AM): Marketing Fields Forever. Liverpool, UK: Academy of Marketing. Retrieved from https://marketing.conference-services.net/programme.asp?conferenceID=2342

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Thorsnes, P., & Lawson, R. (2011). Household preferences for energy efficient space and water heating systems. Proceedings of the 34th Institutions, Efficiency and Evolving Energy Technologies (IAEE) International Conference. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.se/IAEE-2011/Program/Pages/default.aspx

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Carrington, G., Lawson, R., Thorsnes, P., Barton, B., & Stephenson, J. (2011, November). Research highlights from energy cultures. Verbal presentation at the Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Symposium: Futures & Prospects, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Thorsnes, P., Alexander, R., & Kidson, D. (2011). Low-income housing in high-amenity areas: Long-run impacts on residential development [Economics Discussion Papers: No. 1115]. Dunedin, New Zealand: School of Business, University of Otago. 36p.

Lawson, R., Thorsnes, P., & Williams, J. (2011). Consumer response to time varying prices for electricity [Economics Discussion Papers: No. 1116]. Dunedin, New Zealand: School of Business, University of Otago. 23p.

Other Research Output

Thorsnes, P., Lawson, R., & Williams, J. (2011, August). Is it time for time-of-use electricity pricing? EcoNZ@Otago, 27, 4-6. Retrieved from http://www.business.otago.ac.nz/econ/econz/. [Other Research Output].

2010

Journal - Research Article

Stephenson, J., Lawson, R., Carrington, G., Barton, B., Thorsnes, P., & Mirosa, M. (2010). The practice of interdisciplinarity. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 5(7), 271-282.

Stephenson, J., Barton, B., Carrington, G., Gnoth, D., Lawson, R., & Thorsnes, P. (2010). Energy cultures: A framework for understanding energy behaviours. Energy Policy, 38, 6120-6129. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2010.05.069

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Stephenson, J., Lawson, R., Carrington, G., Barton, B., & Thorsnes, P. (2010). Energy cultures: A framework for interdisciplinary research. Proceedings of the Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Symposium: Energy Future. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/oerc/

Stephenson, J., Lawson, R., Carrington, G., Barton, B., & Thorsnes, P. (2010). The practice of interdisciplinarity: A framework for interdisciplinary research. Proceedings of the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Retrieved from http://thesocialsciences.com/conference-2010/sessions/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Stephenson, J., Lawson, R., Carrington, G., Barton, B., & Thorsnes, P. (2010, August). The practice of interdisciplinarity: A framework for interdisciplinary research. Plenary presentation at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Cambridge, UK.

Other Research Output

Lawson, R., Williams, J. & Thorsnes, P. (2010, May). The effect of variable pricing of electricity on consumption by households. University of Otago Department of Marketing Seminar Series, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].

2009

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Thorsnes, P. (2009, April). Household response to time-of-use electricity pricing in Auckland. Verbal presentation at the National Energy Research Institute Second Energy Research Conference: NERI'09, Wellington, New Zealand.

Other Research Output

Thorsnes, P. (2009, February). It's all bright here! Sunshine and insulation in Dunedin houses. EcoNZ@Otago, 22, 4-6. Retrieved from http://www.business.otago.ac.nz/econ/econz. [Other Research Output].

2007

Authored Book - Research

Moore, T., Thorsnes, P., & Appleyard, B. (2007). The transportation/land use connection (New Edition). Chicago: American Planning Association, 546p.

Journal - Research Article

Thorsnes, P., & Reifel, J. W. (2007). Tiebout dynamics: Neighbourhood response to a central-city/suburban house-price differential. Journal of Regional Science, 47(4), 693-719.

Other Research Output

Thorsnes, P., & Flack, N. (2007, February). Big cities, small cities: Which grow faster? EcoNZ@Otago, 18, 7-9. Retrieved from http://www.business.otago.ac.nz/econ/econz. [Other Research Output].

2006

Journal - Research Article

McMillen, D. P., & Thorsnes, P. (2006). Housing renovations and the quantile repeat-sales price index. Real Estate Economics, 34(4), 567-584.

2005

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Thorsnes, P., & White, A. (2005). Business start-ups in New Zealand: Regional effects on sub-regional turnover rates. Proceedings of the North American Regional Science Association 52nd Annual Conference. Las Vegas, NV: Blackwell. [Abstract]

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

McMillen, D. P., & Thorsnes, P. (2005). Housing renovations and the Quantile Repeat Sales Price Index. Economics Discussion Papers, no.0515. Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Economics, University of Otago. 22p.

Thorsnes, P., & Reifel, J. (2005). Tiebout dynamics: A small-area study of the response to a central-city / suburban house-price differential. (pp. 1-39). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Economics, University of Otago.

2004

Other Research Output

Thorsnes, P. (2004, July). Who will pay? The curious case of a new tax on Central Otago land. EcoNZ@Otago, (13), 9-11. Retrieved from http://www.business.otago.ac.nz/econ/econz. [Other Research Output].

2003

Journal - Research Article

McMillen, D. P., & Thorsnes, P. (2003). The aroma of Tacoma: Time-varying average derivatives and the effect of a superfund site on house prices. Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, 21(2), 237-246.

2002

Journal - Research Article

Thorsnes, P. (2002). The value of a suburban forest preserve: Estimates from sales of vacant residential building lots. Land Economics, 78(3), 426-441.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Thorsnes, P., & Denning, R. (2002, November). Allocating space to nature in suburbia: Zoning, land development, and the market in development rights. Verbal presentation at the 49th Annual North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

2000

Chapter in Book - Research

McMillen, D. P., & Thorsnes, P. (2000). The reaction of housing prices to information on superfund sites: A semiparametric analysis of the Tacoma, Washington market. In Advances in Econometrics, Volume 14. (pp. 201-228). USA: JAI Press.

Journal - Research Article

Thorsnes, P. (2000). Internalizing neighborhood externalities: The effect of subdivision size and zoning on residential lot prices. Journal of Urban Economics, 48(3), 397-418.