Tungia te ururua kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke
Dispose of whatever hinders progress in all that is done, in order that what is desirable may indeed grow and bear fruit.
The Human Dimension Programme has been designed to do two things: better understand drivers of, and barriers to participative processes, as well as trial participative methods or mechanisms that could potentially improve community and tangata whenua participation in decision-making.
The rationale behind this programme is that protection of water resources, productive use of water, and waste generation and disposal (including how to dispose of biosolid waste) are concerns that arise from and impact on communities, tangata whenua and councils. Decision-makers usually have to take account of multiple interests, whether in relation to statutory requirements (Resource Management Act 1991, Local Government Act 2002), or in response to policy and planning changes or community-led initiatives. There are, however, many different ways of involving or consulting with communities, and the research aims to identify participative processes best suited to the range of issues identified above. By extension these can be applied to a wider range of resource use and sustainability issues.
The programme has two interrelated objectives:
1. To understand and improve the institutional infrastructure allowing dialogue across sectors. The focus will be on evaluating existing and new modes of dialogue for decision-making between land users, policy makers, scientists, communities and tangata whenua (collectively referred to as ‘decision makers’).
2. To evaluate a variety of methods and tools for participative and systemic decision-making by Territorial Local Authorities (TLAs) and other agencies concerned with water allocation, water quality and the beneficial use of biosolids.
‘Participative’ methods are designed to involve iwi/runanga, local communities and/or multiple agencies in meaningful ways. ‘Systemic’ methods emphasise holistic analysis (exploring multiple interactions, values, perspectives and options for action). These objectives will be achieved through three action research case studies; placing these case studies in a wider context through a comparative pair framework as well as a review of relevant national and international literature.
The action research approach is to ensure that the exploration of each issue is meaningful and appropriate, grounded in local knowledge and responsive to local needs and interest. This allows for interventions to be co-designed and evaluated, and provides a model for the researchers to work in partnership with the key stakeholders in each of the Tasman, Canterbury and Wellington regions.
Water Allocation in Tasman
This work has taken place in the context of a feasibility study undertaken by the Waimea Water Augmentation Committee (WWAC) to explore options for water storage (dam) in the Waimea region. Driving the need for water augmentation is over-allocation and the need for reliable quality and quantity of groundwater for irrigation, urban drinking water supplies, and industry, as well as the need to protect the natural environment. The research to date has facilitated multiple forms of community (iwi, water permit holders, interested groups and individuals) involvement in exploring community values and uses of water and their perceptions of options for sustainable water management. This information will inform the work in the feasibility study as well as Tasman District Council policy and processes for public engagement.
For further information about this work, please contact Ann Winstanley
The report, Water in the Waimea Basin: Community values and water management options, is available on request or can be found on the Tasman District Council website.
Water Quality/Allocation in Canterbury
Involving community in managing water quality outcomes is increasingly seen as critical. In Canterbury, Environment Canterbury's Resource Care Section uses two models of community involvement: resource care groups, which focus on the stream and adjacent owners; and integrated catchment management that includes not only landowners adjacent to rivers but all those with an interest/stake in the wider catchment.
The evidence-base for successful community involvement in environmental management is still developing. This case study is a collaborative evaluation of the work of Environment Canterbury's Resource Care Section, focusing in particular on how the resource care group and integrated catchment management models can be enhanced through formative evaluation (evaluation embedded in a process of on-going learning), incorporating dialogue between communities of interest (including different parts of Environment Canterbury) and mana whenua.
For further information about this work, please contact Maria Hepi
Biosolids Use
This project has established a partnership forum with Ngati Toa, Porirua City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council to explore tangata whenua and institutional views on waste generation and disposal, and to identify the drivers and barriers to the beneficial use of biosolids. The aim is to continue to support dialogue and shared learning between the different viewpoints (Maori worldviews and resource management frameworks, science, technical, and environmental health policy considerations). The project will provide resources that will help inform future local decision-making on this issue, and be of use to other regions considering options for biosolids beneficial reuse.
For further information about this work, please contact Jinny Baker
Publications:
Baker, V. Beneficial Reuse: understanding different stakeholder positions. Land Treatment Collective Annual Conference, Auckland, 7-9 March 2005
Baker V., Ahuriri-Driscoll, A., Goven, J., Langer, E.R., Pauling, C., and Ataria, J. New Zealand Research: Community perspectives and involvement in decision-making for sustainable reuse of biosolids, AWA Australian Water Association Biosolids Specialty III Conference, Melbourne, 7-8 June 2006