UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Kanwar, Pooja
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2014
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
The Kaipara Harbour is the largest enclosed harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, providing resources for several growing industries including agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy. Despite the wide array ofpolitical, environmental, and cultural stresses adversely impacting its resources and ecosystems, it presently lacks a comprehensive management plan and the need to prioritize management efforts has become more evident with the decling harbour health.
This research project examines the complexity ofthe Kaipara Harbour region through a mixed-methodological, case-study approach. An institutional governance analysis explores the network configuration of the Kaipara system, recognizing the capital flows exchanged amongst actors, action arenas where decision-making occurs, and the system's adaptive capacity. A semi-quantitative, stakeholder-driven, relative regional risk assessment prioritizes land use stressors and ecological habitats of concern. Finally, a cultural policy analysis investigates the integration of Maori values in multiscalar regulating documents of the Harbour, addressing resource management conflicts and integrated indigenous governance opportunities.
Results of the risk assessment reveal that from the sources of stress and habitats of concern identified, fisheries pose the greatest risk to the harbour, shellfish habitats are at great risk, and the Kaipara and Rodney ecological districts are characterized with the highest levels of risk in the basin. The institutional findings emphasize the importance of informal action-arenas in effective management ofthe harbour and its resources. The policy analysis concludes the integration of Maori values at the national level is strong in guidance to district and regional councils although sparse in language in policy documents, while successfully integrated at the districk level of regulation. This threefold dissertation research results in a set of management recommendations for the Kaipara Harbour decision-makers and those recommendations are summarized below.
To achieve improved management of the Kaipara Harbour and its resources, the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group (IKHMG) needs regulatory influence in decision-making process at the regional level of the system to represent the interests of the Harbour. To better understand the impacts of the fishing industry, further investigation of the commercial, recreational, and customary fishing industries, their respective impacts on fish stocks, and the role of the Quota Management System is needed. A subcommittee with members from both Northland Regional Council and Auckland Council jurisdictions is required as an effort to instigate comprehensive management for the ecological areas of the Kaipara catchment. The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management should provide increased national guidance for freshwater use in the country, and encourage holistic management of freshwater resources by incorporating significant Maori vlaues that relate to freshwater, including Kaitiakitanga. Finally, the incorporation of Manaakitanga in local and regional planning documents would better address the limitations presented in cultural and integration, land use pressures, and habitat protection with regards to fisheries management and shellfish conservation.
This research project examines the complexity ofthe Kaipara Harbour region through a mixed-methodological, case-study approach. An institutional governance analysis explores the network configuration of the Kaipara system, recognizing the capital flows exchanged amongst actors, action arenas where decision-making occurs, and the system's adaptive capacity. A semi-quantitative, stakeholder-driven, relative regional risk assessment prioritizes land use stressors and ecological habitats of concern. Finally, a cultural policy analysis investigates the integration of Maori values in multiscalar regulating documents of the Harbour, addressing resource management conflicts and integrated indigenous governance opportunities.
Results of the risk assessment reveal that from the sources of stress and habitats of concern identified, fisheries pose the greatest risk to the harbour, shellfish habitats are at great risk, and the Kaipara and Rodney ecological districts are characterized with the highest levels of risk in the basin. The institutional findings emphasize the importance of informal action-arenas in effective management ofthe harbour and its resources. The policy analysis concludes the integration of Maori values at the national level is strong in guidance to district and regional councils although sparse in language in policy documents, while successfully integrated at the districk level of regulation. This threefold dissertation research results in a set of management recommendations for the Kaipara Harbour decision-makers and those recommendations are summarized below.
To achieve improved management of the Kaipara Harbour and its resources, the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group (IKHMG) needs regulatory influence in decision-making process at the regional level of the system to represent the interests of the Harbour. To better understand the impacts of the fishing industry, further investigation of the commercial, recreational, and customary fishing industries, their respective impacts on fish stocks, and the role of the Quota Management System is needed. A subcommittee with members from both Northland Regional Council and Auckland Council jurisdictions is required as an effort to instigate comprehensive management for the ecological areas of the Kaipara catchment. The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management should provide increased national guidance for freshwater use in the country, and encourage holistic management of freshwater resources by incorporating significant Maori vlaues that relate to freshwater, including Kaitiakitanga. Finally, the incorporation of Manaakitanga in local and regional planning documents would better address the limitations presented in cultural and integration, land use pressures, and habitat protection with regards to fisheries management and shellfish conservation.