Waterways and Wellbeing:

a research project of great importance to a small rural population

Population Association of NZ Conference

New Zealand’s Demographic Futures:

Where to from here? 28 - 29th November 2011, Auckland

Te Roopu Taiao O UtakuraHine Tohu, Wendy Henwood, Kiri Rihari, Helen Moewaka Barnes

Mä uta ki tai – catchment approach

Linking community needs and aspirations, and social research

Exploring links between water and wellbeing

Mana whenua and environmental and community wellbeing

Research approach, practice, process

• Kaupapa Mäori community action• Building a team -

skills, relationships, networks• Building local

research, environmental skills, capability and capacity

Data Collection

• Catchment monitoring of key water quality indicators: UCHI, tuna, other species

• Social and contextual information: interviews, archives and documents

• Demographic data• GIS mapping

Outcomes

Intended • More knowledge and sharing about the

environment and the people• Evidence of water quality, stock and species

Outcomes

Incidental multiplier affects, spin-offs•Increased profile of environmental issues•Community barriers, fears broken down about working with Government agencies, academics, outside organisations•Increased local capacity•Opportunities: conferences, further research, collaborations

Conclusion: a big project of importance to a small rural population

Small communities need to be supported to undertake their own projects and research

Process and outcome combo important to sustain interest, motivation mä uta ki tai