An evaluation framework for policy responses to diffuse water pollution: a retrospective case study from Southland : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Professional Studies

Abstract

Diffuse water pollution from land use is a significant environmental issue both internationally and nationally. Policy responses to this complex environmental problem are being undertaken at a number of levels in New Zealand by a range of agencies including central government, local government and industry. There is increasing acknowledgement of the importance of the social dimension in responses to complex environmental problems with social capital and social learning considered to be key elements in new approaches to problem solving. This research explores the role evaluation can have in assisting the creation of social capital and capacity for social learning in complex environmental problem situations. It does this by developing an evaluation framework based on the concepts of social capital and social learning and trialing it through a retrospective application to a case study in Southland. This application identified a number of areas where evaluation could assist in environmental problem solving.