Improving utilisation of Ma-ori land: Challenges and successes in the application of a participatory approach

Abstract

The limited impact of traditional extension techniques has resulted in the increasing use of participatory approaches to support interaction between Ma-ori communities and scientists. This paper draws on the experience of a 5 year case study of such an approach among scientists and Ma-ori on the East Cape. While supporting the value of a participatory approach, the paper argues that the adoption and use of such an approach must be viewed as an iterative process and one that challenges all participants, not only on operational detail, but on the ethical issues posed by such work. This paper highlights the value of a collaborative approach but questions the appropriateness of branding all such approaches as participatory research when used to support national policy initiatives. It concludes that participatory approaches challenge the scientists involved as much as the communities concerned and questions the validity of conventional measures of success in any evaluation of such work. © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2009.