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    Prioritisation of wetlands of the Rangitikei catchment : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Natural Resource Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Amaranathan, Usharani
    This study aimed to prioritise wetlands of the Rangitikei Catchment. The prioritisation will enable the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council to apply its limited resources in an effective way to preserve the biodiversity of the wetlands of the catchment. A process was designed to achieve the project aim. The first step in the process was the establishment of two conservation goals: 1)Maintain species diversity, 2)Eliminate threats within wetlands. Secondly, the wetlands of the Rangitikei Catchment were surveyed to collect state and pressure information. 25 wetland sites were surveyed using the REWA survey method. Data collected was then analysed, first using the complementarity programme Sites V1.0. However, complementarity analysis did not achieve a clarified prioritisation of wetland sites because extreme variability was found among sites. In particular, complementarity analysis did not respond well to having two very different conservation goals of pressure and state. Therefore, 13 prioritisation criteria were employed based on elements of pressure and state. A method was devised to overcome problems of weighting criteria. True scores were converted to adjusted scores of 1 to 4 using the box and whisker division method. This method also allowed for easier replication and manipulation of data as well as clear visual representation, unlike other methods. A unique prioritisation framework was then devised which allowed multiple criteria (in this study pressure and state) to be assessed simultaneously. The framework also allowed the large amounts of data involved in the prioritisation process to be presented as a single priority ranking. The prioritisation framework is a relatively simple, repeatable and highly adaptable method. The framework does not compromise the contribution of each criterion to the overall value of the wetland. This resulted in prioritisation of the surveyed wetland sites of the Rangitikei Catchment and allowed achievement of the study's conservation goals. The box and whisker division method and prioritisation framework presented in the study are two unique methods that may be applied in future prioritisation programmes. Both methods provide simple and visual representations of the complex processes involved in the prioritisation of wetland sites and respond to multiple and opposing conservation goals. The nature of the prioritisation framework allows information to be added as it becomes available as well as accommodating the addition and expansion of conservation goals.
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    Contestability in the resource consent process under the Resource Management Act 1991 : a study of opportunities for Māori within a contestable consent process : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Policy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Dowman, Catherine P
    This thesis encompasses aa cross-cultural study that investigates opportunities for Maori in a contestable consent process under the Resource Management Act 1991. The research examines the existing resource consent process and speculates on how contestability as proposed in the Resource Management Amendment Bill 1999 could create opportunities for Maori participation in the resource consent process. The consent process enables Maori to participate by way of consultation on consent application. Under the existing consent process local authorities have the sole discretion to determine the type and level of consultation in regard to consent applications. Resource user groups such as applicants and developer have deemed this discretion a monopoly in the processing of consent applications. Contestability as a recommended option would open the processing of consent applications to the private sector to enhance the consent process in terms of cutting costs and time delays presently experienced. This thesis focuses on contestability in the contest of the processing of resource consent applications. The research was carried out in two phases: Phase one was a documentary analysis of local authority officers to examine the officers' perceptions of contestability and the consequences for Maori involvement in the resource consent process. A statistical analysis and thematic content analysis of planning documents and survey data were used to analyse the empirical evidence. The thesis reached a number of conclusions. The research found that two resource consent processing provisions of the Resource Management Act, ss93 and 94, determine how local authorities will carry out consultation with regard to a consent application. Local authority policies on tangata whenua participation differed considerably from Maori aspirations set out in iwi management plans. Moreover, amongst local authorities, consultation with tangata whenua on consent applications has been inconsistent. Contestability was identified as creating few opportunities for Maori participation in the resource consent process. In addition, consultation, developing new working relationships, funding, Treaty obligations, and level of skills were identified as potential negative aspects of contestability. The research recommends the use of several existing provisions (ss 33 and 34) of the Resource Management Act as alternatives to contestability. If used effectively, these mechanisms could improve tangata whenua participation in resource management processes. The thesis considers that the proposal to introduce any form of contestability in the consent process requires further research concerning the consequences for Maori participation in the consent process.