The Reference Scenario is set up in WISE Version 1.6 to represent the modelled projections of population and economic growth for the Region and the current policies and plans that influence growth and land use development. Establishing this Reference set up required a number of assumptions to be made. An overview of the key assumptions made in the Reference Scenario and results are reported in: ‘WISE model update to version 1.6, reference scenario and Waikato land use projections (TA and SA2 level) 2018 to 2068’.