Empowering Indigenous Community Engagement and Approaches in Lake Restoration: An Aotearoa-New Zealand Perspective

Abstract

The Treaty of Waitangi forms the underlying foundation of the Crown- Maori relationship with regard to freshwater resources in Aotearoa-New Zealand. While there is no “one” Maori world view, there are principles and values that establish and reinforce whanau, hapu, runanga and iwi identity, and their responsibilities and rights to manage and use natural resources, including lakes. Lake restoration approaches that are grounded in tikanga Maori and Maori values and perspectives, and are co-designed to be responsive to the needs and aspirations of Maori, will ensure that outcomes are useful and of benefit to the participating indigenous community. The resulting outcomes are more likely to strengthen and add value to existing community initiatives, thus increasing efficiencies when capacity and capability across different expertise is in demand. This requires a commitment (by agencies and funders) to move beyond conventional understandings of who is “qualified” to engage in lake research and restoration initiatives. While hapu, runanga and iwi undoubtedly benefit from having their members qualify by being active participants in lake research and restoration efforts, in this chapter we emphasise the need for a more holistic approach that recognises and empowers whanau to engage as co-governors, co-leaders, researchers, as knowledge holders and as teachers. A truly collaborative lake restoration programme will provide multiple roles for Maori, including the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation approaches.