Environmental conflict management under the Resource Management Act 1991 : a regional case study (revisited)

Abstract

When New Zealand's Resource Management Act legislation was passed there was much fanfare relating to the potential offered through the less adversarial decision-making processes. Indeed, certain Environmental Dispute Resolution (EDR) techniques have been enabled in New Zealand under the Resource Management Act (1991). However, despite the potential that the less adversarial decision-making processes offer, it does not appears that EDR techniques have been used to the extent anticipated. Past research indicates that the EDR techniques had not been successfully integrated into the participatory process, and that conflict, where identified, was often managed in an ad hoc manner.

This research aims to more closely investigate the use or non-use of EDR mechanisms with the environmental management statutory framework, specifically in relation to the Resource Management Act 1991. A Canterbury-based case study is revisited, and further "everyday" environmental decision-makers are added to contribute towards a greater national understanding of the use of EDR techniques.