‘Co-Management’ – Agreeing Objectives for Protection and Restoration of Rivers to Meet the Needs of Indigenous Communities

Author: Rutherford James C.   Macdonald Garry J.   Quinn John M.  

Publisher: Water Environment Federation

ISSN: 1938-6478

Source: Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, Vol.2011, Iss.16, 2011-01, pp. : 1457-1485

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Abstract

This paper covers the Waikato River Independent Scoping Study (WRISS) undertaken in 2009/10 to provide the foundation for a new era of co-management between the New Zealand Government and the indigenous people (Maaori of the Waikato and Waipa River iwi) of the Waikato region to restore and protect the health and well-being of the Waikato River for future generations. Around the world, there are many studies relating to river restoration and protection. Some are at a catchment-wide scale, some use social science and some incorporate indigenous environmental knowledge. This study is unusual in that it has all those features, and the paper is a summary of the holistic approach which was taken, combining inputs and knowledge from conventional science and indigenous sources and robust consideration of both measured and anecdotal data, in order to identify future pathways for the Waikato River Authority to consider under the new co-management regime.