Swaffield, SChallenger, NDavis, ShannonFairclough, GHerlin, ISSwanwick, C2023-05-242018-05-1020189781138803886https://hdl.handle.net/10182/16155This chapter examines landscape characterisation as a landscape planning and assessment tool in Aotearoa-New Zealand. It describes the bi-cultural context, with particular focus on postcolonial dynamics and their implications for landscape assessment; reviews approaches to characterisation and current practice, with examples; identifies opportunities, challenges, and theoretical and practical issues associated with characterisation; and then briefly considers the relationship between New Zealand practice and trends internationally.pp.187-202© The authorsBook Chapter10.4324/9781315753423-1497813157534232023-05-24