Worldviews, sustainability and resource management practice : holistic complements to environmental policy and planning

Abstract

Colonial British settlement of New Zealand has shaped the way in which the nation views the natural environment. The ethos of the early nineteen hundreds resulted in many environment changing impacts such as the taming of the 'hostile' terrain and wetlands of the South Island, reinforcing the postmodern philosophy of man over nature. Consequently, much indigenous flora & fauna has become seriously endangered and indeed extinct as a result. Taming the environment also had serious consequences for the indigenous people of Te Waipounamu.

In recent years a resurgence in identity has rejuvenated the Iwi of Ngai Tahu. Ngai Tahu are once again repositioning themselves to control of their future. Greater levels of autonomy and self-determination mean the Iwi now can facilitate the manner in which traditional mahinga kai sites and natural resources will be managed. While Ngai Tahu has taken a positive step into the future, the reality is decisions concerning natural resource utilization are continually subjected to environmental policy exercised by Government authorities that rarely reflects core value systems of the Iwi.

This thesis postulates that current environmental policy processes in New Zealand are prescriptive in detail, predominantly reflecting the views and values of the majority culture. Further, Ngai Tahu values are often excluded from national environmental policy and planning.

The aim of the discussion of this thesis is to critique environmental policy and planning paradigms including examination of western and Ngai Tahu frameworks of knowledge. These analyses determine that environmental policy and planning practice which is influenced predominantly by western views and values, also excludes alternative rationalities. The Ngai Tahu worldview is therefore assessed and applied as a knowledge framework for informing environmental policy and planning frameworks.

This thesis opens with an assessment of environmental issues both global and domestic, followed by analysis of worldview traditions and the role perceptions play in cross-cultural relations. A theoretical framework extrapolated and constructed from a Ngai Tahu worldview will be used to explore, analyse and critique methods for incorporating this worldview into current policy processes. It will be shown that incorporation of Ngai Tahu views and values into environmental policy is not only an obligation on the behalf of government, and resource management agencies, it is also fundamental to achieving sustainable resource management initiatives in New Zealand, and the reinstatement of Ngai Tahu Tino Rangatiratanga in Te Waipounamu.