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    Studies on coastal and desert dunes, and coastal systems : a thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Science of Massey University
    (Massey University, 2013) Hesp, Patrick A.
    The research achievements of the author, relating to the study of coastal dunes, desert dunes and coastal ecosystems in various coasts and deserts of the world are described. These studies began during a period when the morphodynamics approach was in its infancy, and when the "Australian school" of coastal research was just beginning. In this thesis, the research achievements of the author, and the publications, are detailed in the Preface. The thesis comprises 80 selected publications in refereed journals and books. The author's curriculum vitae follows in Appendix 1, and a brief career history is provided in Appendix 2. These selected publications extend over a period from 1981 to May, 2013, during a time when the author held 11 positions and visiting fellowships in several countries. Significant achievements include (i) the first wind tunnel and field study of flow around an isolated plant and the formation of shadow dunes, (ii) studies on the initiation and evolution of incipient foredune types, (iii) a ecogeomorphological classification of foredunes and analyses of their internal sedimentary structures, (iv) contributions to the understanding and classification of beach ridges, (v) studies of the flow dynamics in bowl and trough blowouts, (vi) studies on transgressive dunefield and dune sheet initiation, geomorphology and evolution, (vii) surfzone-beach-dune interactions and model; (viii) flow dynamics over foredunes, (xi) furthering our understanding of barchan morphometrics and flow, and (x) climbing dunes forming via the operation ofreversing offshore winds. Discoveries include the following: (i) the relation between shadow dune morphometrics and plant morrhology; (iii) surfzone-beach-dune interactions and a model of these interactions and dunefield evolution; (iii) jet flows and dynamics in trough blowouts, including the nature of topographic flow steering in such blowouts; (iv) the morphometric relationships between trough blowout erosional morphologies and depositional lobe morphologies; (v) linear dunes can migrate laterally, (vi) the relationships between faunal abundance and species richness and nebkha size and plant species type; (vii) the nature of speed-down and speed-up within vegetation up a foredune stoss slope; (vii) jet flow over foredunes; (viii) trailing ridges may be produced from the margins of transverse dunes, (ix) the dunes on Saturn's moon, Titan, may be linear (rather than transverse) due to the 'sticky' nature of the sediments, and (x) the existence and species of phytoplankton in South Australian surfzones.
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    Evaluation and its role in the development of a national coastal policy statement : a Philippine case study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Philosophy in Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1993) Agustin-Flores, Cheryl C
    National Coastal Policy Statement for the Philippines whose unsustainable management methods and practices over the years have increasingly degraded the coastal environment in a way which is likely to prevent future generations from having the same opportunities as the present. The practices in the Philippines, have exceeded the carrying capacities of resources, reduced the diversity of species, and contributed to the extinction of significant and endangered species. These actions and impacts are all attributed to the economic situation in the Philippines: poverty of coastal residents, and the rate of population increase. Both sectors: socio-economic and ecological, in addition to institutional sector, need reconciliation in order for people to live in harmony with nature and coastal resources. Thus, it is envisaged that the Philippines should have an integrated coastal policy statement at the national level. This move is according to IUCN recommendation and is the answer to emerging issues on the coastal zone: impacts of human activities on coastal resources, issues arising from hazard occurrence, issues on developmental needs and their likely impacts, and organizational process problems. In order to develop a NCPS for the Philippines, nine criteria for the coast are developed: water quality (including prevention of pollution at source, species diversity), carrying capacity, equity (including intrinsic values), coastal protection from hazards, cooperation, financial criteria, administrative efficacy and systems approach in planning. These are used in evaluating the effectiveness of various coastal policy statements at different levels, using a framework developed for the purpose. The developed NCPS for the Philippines is aimed at addressing all coastal issues, and is based on: the IUCN principles, the Philippine principles, and some of the policies of Hawaii and New Zealand. It is envisaged that the implementation of the Philippine NCPS will lead to the achievement of sustainable development of coastal resources, including a sustainable living which hopes to alleviate poverty.
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    Incorporating economic, social and environmental factors into a decision model for sustainable management of natural resources : a case study of the Ningaloo coast, Western Australia : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Economics at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Longworth, Natasha Julie
    There is growing demand for many of Australia's coastal areas to be conserved and retained in their natural state. The reconciliation of competing demands; such as residential, industrial, recreation, conservation and tourism; in a manner that ensures the sustainability of natural areas is a major issue facing coastal planners. The Ningaloo coastal strip in Western Australia is a prime example of a fragile coastal environment, subject to increasing visitation, complex economic, social, environmental and institutional forces and a wide range of stakeholders. The challenge for managers and planners of the coastal strip is to determine an appropriate level of development and a management regime that meets the needs of stakeholders while still achieving the state government's goals in relation to coastal zone management. To meet this challenge, decision need to carefully balance human needs with the environment's ability to assimilate the pressures placed upon it. This research integrates social, environmental and economic factors into a decision framework for the sustainable management of natural resources. This framework differs from existing frameworks in two ways; firstly, it specifically includes stakeholder analysis as an individual assessment technique and secondly, it focuses on rapid appraisal techniques. Three individual assessment techniques; environmental impact assessment, cost benefit analysis and stakeholder analysis; are incorporated into a multiple criteria analysis model. This model is applied to a case study of the Ningaloo coast, Western Australia. The results show that a co-management arrangement between indigenous communities and the Department of Conservation and hand Management is consistently superior to other management options identified. Another favourable management option is sole management by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. When weightings that reflect an environmental perspective are used, low visitation scenarios are preferred. The research concludes with land use and management recommendations for the Ningaloo coastal strip. This recommended management regime would involve some form of co-management between stakeholder groups and CALM, particularly the traditional Aboriginal inhabitants. The level of development would be low, with at most, a single wilderness lodge facility.
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    An analysis of the environmental planning framework for coastal developments in Fiji's coral coast tourist region : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of a degree in Masters of Philosophy in Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1995) Tuvuki, Suliasi Wavu
    This thesis examines Fiji's environmental planning framework with particular reference to tourism development along the coast. This focus is an acknowledgement of the coastal ecosystems upon which the tourism industry depends. However, despite this emphasis, the findings in this thesis could be relevant to all types of development in Fiji. Firstly, the shortcomings of the present planning framework are identified, with particular attention being paid to the sectoral nature of the existing institutional and legal arrangements. The important role of EIA is also discussed and is applied to the situation in Fiji's. Particular attention is placed upon the way the present system does not sufficiently recognise the important role the indigenous Fijian plays in the development planning process. This seems unjust since the indigenous rural dweller is the most affected by tourism developments along the coast and so the case study area, Korolevu, was chosen to provide a typical example of how such large scale, unsustainable, coastal developments have in the past, because of flaws in the present system, were often established with little appreciation for the traditions, protocols and more sustainable environmental management practices of the traditional local people. Now that the international community is beginning to recognise the importance of providing sustainable development which preserves the environment in the fullest sense, including the cultural environment into which development is placed, the Government of Fiji is starting to recognise the importance of applying such strategies as Caring for the Earth (IUCN/UNEP/WWF 1991) and Agenda 21 (Sitarz 1993) to the situation in Fiji. The findings of this thesis result in various reforms which have the achievement of sustainable development practices in the Fijian cultural context as the underlying focus. These reforms emphasise the need to recognise and implement indigenous rights into the environmental planning framework at policy, institutional and legal levels. The incorporation of the indigenous Fijian's interests in this framework is an essential component to providing sustainable practices in Fiji. This inclusion can only be achieved by providing meaningful public participation opportunities for such communities. Ultimately, the IUCN/UNEP/WWF (1991) and Sitarz (1993) documents and, in addition, New Zealand's Resource Management Act (1992) collectively provide a useful model out of which the Fiji Government could develop its own environmental management regime which promotes sustainable development through the identification, avoidance, mitigation and remedying of the many environmental problems encountered in Fiji's coastal environment.
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    Visitor impact on the environment : perceptions and misconceptions : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies in Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1997) Logie, Mary June
    Ever since the Brundtland Report there has been strong focus on the need for effective environmental management to achieve sustainability and this has intensified since Agenda 21. Changes caused by increasing visitor numbers and easier access are causing concern in traditional recreational areas such as the chosen case study. Piha is easily accessible to almost one million people in the Auckland metropolitan area. In this fragile coastal environment there are many different perceptions of visitor impact. Conflict amongst user groups and residents is unavoidable unless the issues concerning environmental impacts are clarified. The key issue is the necessity for baseline environmental assessment that takes into account the perceptions of all stakeholders. Once any conflict of interest has been identified there is a better chance that conservation and development will be balanced and visitor impacts controlled. A method rarely used in the context of environmental planning is Trochim's Concept Mapping System. This project shows how the system can be applied to clarify environmental perceptions using stakeholder focus groups to clarify and rank important environmental issues. A traditional survey based on issues revealed by the concept mapping process and targeting a different population is used to test the conccpt mapping findings. The results of this study show concept mapping to be a useful resource planning tool not only for issue identification but also for providing a readily understood visual system to allow stakeholders to understand the complete picture in order to reach the understanding needed for useful involvement in a planning process. Used alone or alongside other planning techniques, it is shown to have a useful place in a planning system. Limits of Acceptable Change is a possible community-based planning framework for using the Concept Mapping system to incorporate stakeholders' perceptions. An adaptation of this framework may help achieve sustainable visitor impact management.
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    Matching nature : integrated coastal zone management in the Hauraki Gulf : a thesis presented in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Resource and Environmental Planning, Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Cooper, Nicholas R
    This thesis aims to assess characteristics for a framework of ICZM as a basis for an analysis of coastal management in New Zealand using the Hauraki Gulf as a case study. This would determine whether efficient, equitable and effective policy and environmental outcomes are occurring amongst different organisations and stakeholders. Research design followed an action research methodology. A literature review relating to various aspects of ICZM has been compiled and summarised into criteria for application to coastal management in the Hauraki Gulf. Interviews were carried out with key stakeholders associated with policy and implementation in the Gulf. The interviews are analysed by evaluating change based on the theoretical criteria in three areas: target groups, innovative organisations, and the interactive setting. This has allowed a framework to be developed and subsequently sent to interview participants for review. The conclusions for the thesis concern issues associated with achieving ICZM for the Hauraki Gulf and the applicability of an ICZM based framework. Issues relate to lack of clarity, interpretation of roles, relationship building, education and promoting a culture change, cynicism about integrated management based on statutory interpretation of roles, bureaucratic interactions between central, regional and local government agencies as disincentives for effective ICZM. A process framework and recommendations have been developed to enhance stakeholder input into coastal management and the first iteration has highlighted a need for further simplification.
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    Valuing the benefits of a small community sewerage system in the coastal environment : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Applied Economics at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Moore, Richard Ralph
    A community sewerage system is a public good which society derives a wide range of benefits from. Because a community sewerage system is a public good, it is normally provided under the direction and control of a local authority. A local authority contemplating providing a community sewerage system in a small coastal community, must consider whether the welfare of the community will increase as a result. To do this it needs to consider the total economic costs and benefits that the community might incur or gain from building a small community sewerage system. In the coastal environment the value of many of the benefits a community sewerage system would provide can not be observed in commercial markets. This research aimed to provide local authority decision-makers with a way to value the benefits of a small community sewerage system in the coastal environment. To achieve this the contingent valuation method was used in the form of a mail questionnaire with specific reference to the circumstances of small coastal communities. Application of the questionnaire was illustrated using three small New Zealand coastal communities, Russell, Tapeka and Horeke. The questionnaire was mailed to households and businesses in these communities to solicit their willingness to pay for the benefits of a proposed community sewerage system. An average return rate of 50% was obtained. The information and results obtained from the questionnaires showed that they can provide valuable information. In particular, information for a decision-maker wishing to determine if community sewerage is economically efficient in a small coastal community. The average value per fortnight that respondents from Russell, Tapeka, and Horeke placed on the benefits of a community sewerage system was $16.60, $15.97 and $9.75 respectively. For each community, the average value was not sufficient to cover the cost of the proposed community sewerage system. Nevertheless, the authority managing the sewerage issues in Russell, Tapeka, and Horeke gained beneficial insights to adopt the best plan of action for sewerage in each community.
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    Fraying coastal edges : coastal hazard adjustment and sustainable management : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Resource and Environmental Planning) at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Proctor, Sandra Gaye
    This thesis investigates the development appropriate natural hazard policy and adjustment in New Zealand, through a topic evaluation of the proposed coastal hazard zone methodology presented in Gibb (1994). The thesis is structured around the four contexts: institutional, physical, socio-economic and cultural, that are considered appropriate in the decision-making process about natural hazard policy and adjustment. The review of literature about managing natural hazards provides the attributes which aid in the formulation of natural hazard policy and adjustment. This literature is augmented with attributes taken from the growing body of sustainability literature. These attributes are then modelled into a theoretical policy and adjustment model, supplemented by checklist. The model developed reflects the paradigm shift to a contextual mode of thinking. This contextual mode of thinking means that a wider range of contexts needs to be considered when developing policies an adjustments. The review of hazard management in New Zealand highlights the fact that the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 (the Act) forces planners to be contextual in their approach to natural hazards. This thesis intends to provide further guidance on how this contextual approach should be undertaken. The key findings of the thesis indicate that natural hazards planning should be considered in the wider arena of resource management planning, with policies and adjustment undertaken fulfilling a broader range of coastal management objectives the the narrow objective of adjustments to natural hazards. The contextual approach to natural hazards planning means that planners and local authorities need to obtain better information to inform their management role under the sustainable management concept. The thesis has concluded that the current pre-occupation on the need for a consistent national approach could be ineffectual because the institutional, physical, socioeconomic and cultural variations around New Zealand's coastline precludes emphasis on developing a single methodology for adjustments to natural hazards.
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    Integrated management : from concept to practice : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1998) Rennison, David Stanhope
    New Zealand's key environmental management statutes are notable for requiring the integrated management of resources. This thesis explores the extent to which integrated management is actually occurring between two different agencies operating under the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Conservation Act 1987. The level of integration between Tasman District Council and the Department of Conservation is analysed with reference to a case study of management issues along the coast of Abel Tasman National Park. The primary issue here is that increased human activity along the Park coast has attendant social and environmental impacts; these should be addressed in an integrated manner by both agencies. The concept of integrated environmental management is defined and explained by means of a literature review. Following this, the potential for integrated management in the New Zealand context is assessed by reviewing the requirements of legislation and relevant commentary. Subsequent to developing this theoretical framework, research investigations centre on the Abel Tasman case study. First, interviews are conducted with those who prepared the Proposed Tasman Regional Policy Statement and Proposed Tasman Resource Management Plan; and the Nelson-Marlborough Conservation Management Strategy and Abel Tasman National Park Draft Management Plan, amongst other practitioners. Second, these plans are coded; and the findings of both research methods are then analysed. It is shown that the degree to which integrated management can be achieved is dependent on institutional factors. New Zealand's environmental management regime contains both opportunities and barriers to the implementation of integrated management, and this is reflected in the case study. The extent to which integration is achieved between Tasman District Council and the Department of Conservation is limited, due to inadequate funding, staffing and statutory deadlines. Statutory and informal processes followed by the two agencies in preparing plans lacked the comprehensive interaction and effective co-ordination that are the key operational ingredients to integrated management. The lack of capacity within agencies is attributed to a lack of political commitment to the processes of integration. The intentions embodied in the legislation are being compromised by pressure on agencies and staff to be cost-effective. Nevertheless, significant improvements to the regime were noted by practitioners.
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    Exploring a 'post-normal' science-policy interface for integrated coastal management : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Governance at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Bremer, Scott Ronald
    This thesis is broadly about mobilising knowledge for the governance of the coast and specifically about the introduction of a ‘post-normal’ science-policy interface to Integrated Coastal Management. It begins by acknowledging the unique resource management challenges of the coast and follows the field of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) as a widely endorsed framework for addressing these challenges. Contemporary developments in this field have seen ICM recognise the uncertainty, plurality and high political stakes characterising many issues on the coast and the attendant need to shift from models of ‘management’ to models of ‘governance.’ This thesis specifically engages debates on the epistemological implications of governance, which within ICM have led to calls to democratise the science-policy interface according to norms of dialogue, inclusiveness, integration and quality. Taking this as its point of departure, this thesis explores the ‘post-normal science’ perspective offered by Funtowicz and Ravetz, as a way of framing the science-policy interface. This research began by viewing the complexity of coastal management through the particular lens offered by the model of ‘interactive governance,’ as a compelling perspective on ICM that is gaining credence. Interactive governance focuses on certain features of coastal management, and introduces certain measures of ‘quality,’ which were formulated into a novel evaluation framework for ICM. The research went on to explore how a ‘post-normal science’ approach may contribute to ‘high quality’ ICM, framed according to interactive governance. This occurred first via a literature review, and second through cross-scale empirical research. Internationally, the research followed the SPICOSA Project, as a Europe-wide focus on the science-policy interface for coastal management. Nationally, the research explored New Zealand’s coastal management framework, mapping the emergence of new ‘norms of governance’ within the science-policy interface and their contribution to quality institutions, before interrogating three local-scale initiatives that gave effect to a post-normal science approach; in Whangamata, Waikaraka and Gisborne. This research arrived at three key findings on the meaningfulness of a post-normal science-policy interface. First, that there are many ways to give effect to this approach, contingent on scale and context. Second, that this approach has significant potential for promoting high quality ICM according to measures of institutional quality and stakeholder interactional quality. And third, that the most significant threat to this approach is power; most notably the power of science to subsume other knowledge systems.