title: Planning for the protection and enhancement of marine environments' wellbeing

authors: Barnsdall, Aaron

subjects: marine

abstract: The wellbeing of marine environments has a direct relationship with the types of whenua (land, placenta) use and management practices that go from the mountains to the sea. In Aotearoa, activities that are carried out in this land-marine interface, including those related to Nature-based Solutions (NbSs), are regulated by national, regional, and district policies (e.g., New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, regional plans, and district plans). However, due to its novel character, not all current policies account for the realisation of NbSs nor are NbSs’ potential for addressing the wellbeing of our marine environments well understood.

This dissertation focuses on Tauranga Moana (the seas of Tauranga) as the chosen locality for the case study area, to:

i) investigate how the Ngapeke 7 Trust’s community participants in the Ngāti Pūkenga area of Tauranga Moana understand and value NbSs for addressing the wellbeing of their marine systems; and,
ii) review current planning policies and mechanisms to identify barriers, enablers, and gaps that support or hinder the implementation of NbSs in Tauranga Moana, observing through a Kaupapa Māori lens.

Findings emphasize that integrating mātauranga Māori and Māori Ecological Knowledge (MEK) with scientific knowledge offers a holistic approach to environmental management, enhancing decision-making, education, and policy. Key Māori values, including whakapapa, mauri, and kaitiakitanga, are central to this approach.

The research identifies gaps in policies regarding NbS realization and a need for greater understanding of NbS potential and Māori perspectives. Implications include the necessity of integrating MEK into environmental practices and policies, and the value of NbSs for effective and equitable environmental outcomes. Limitations include sample size and scope, which focused on the Ngapeke 7 block. This research contributes valuable insights for environmental planning and management by centring mātauranga Māori and values in NbS implementation for marine health.

text: Planning for the protection and enhancement of marine environments' wellbeing The wellbeing of marine environments has a direct relationship with the types of whenua (land, placenta) use and management practices that go from the mountains to the sea. In Aotearoa, activities that are carried out in this land-marine interface, including those related to Nature-based Solutions (NbSs), are regulated by national, regional, and district policies (e.g., New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, regional plans, and district plans). However, due to its novel character, not all current policies account for the realisation of NbSs nor are NbSs’ potential for addressing the wellbeing of our marine environments well understood.

This dissertation focuses on Tauranga Moana (the seas of Tauranga) as the chosen locality for the case study area, to:

i) investigate how the Ngapeke 7 Trust’s community participants in the Ngāti Pūkenga area of Tauranga Moana understand and value NbSs for addressing the wellbeing of their marine systems; and,
ii) review current planning policies and mechanisms to identify barriers, enablers, and gaps that support or hinder the implementation of NbSs in Tauranga Moana, observing through a Kaupapa Māori lens.

Findings emphasize that integrating mātauranga Māori and Māori Ecological Knowledge (MEK) with scientific knowledge offers a holistic approach to environmental management, enhancing decision-making, education, and policy. Key Māori values, including whakapapa, mauri, and kaitiakitanga, are central to this approach.

The research identifies gaps in policies regarding NbS realization and a need for greater understanding of NbS potential and Māori perspectives. Implications include the necessity of integrating MEK into environmental practices and policies, and the value of NbSs for effective and equitable environmental outcomes. Limitations include sample size and scope, which focused on the Ngapeke 7 block. This research contributes valuable insights for environmental planning and management by centring mātauranga Māori and values in NbS implementation for marine health.

year: 2025-04-16

title: Constructing strategies for sustainable development the communitarian way

authors: Arunachalam, Murugesh

subjects: communities

abstract: Purpose – The paper aims to draw on recommendations of Agenda 21 and communitarian theory to examine collaboration between local district community and local authorities to formulate strategies for the sustainable development of the Taupo district. 
Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts an interpretative methodology based on philosophical hermeneutic to understand collaboration between local community and local authorities in the Taupo district. Empirical data for this interpretive study comprise public documents, interview transcripts and minutes of meetings attended by the researchers. The paper begins interpretation of empirical data with pre-understanding of communitarian theory and Agenda 21. 
Findings – The findings indicate that historical and political factors and diversity of interests in the community affect processes and outcomes of collaboration. Local authorities play a crucial role in bringing together various groups in the Taupo community which are segregated by diversity of interests, especially between Maori and non-Maori community groups. Without local authority facilitation, the Taupo community may remain segregated; inhibited by lack of information; and not having the opportunity to participate in sustainable development. Community participation in the Taupo district is at an infancy stage and collaboration intended to empower communities may result in local authorities recentralising their positions. 
Originality/value – The paper integrates theory and practice and provides valuable insights for statutory agencies seeking to implement the recommendations of Agenda 21 regarding community participation in sustainable development.

text: Constructing strategies for sustainable development the communitarian way Purpose – The paper aims to draw on recommendations of Agenda 21 and communitarian theory to examine collaboration between local district community and local authorities to formulate strategies for the sustainable development of the Taupo district. 
Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts an interpretative methodology based on philosophical hermeneutic to understand collaboration between local community and local authorities in the Taupo district. Empirical data for this interpretive study comprise public documents, interview transcripts and minutes of meetings attended by the researchers. The paper begins interpretation of empirical data with pre-understanding of communitarian theory and Agenda 21. 
Findings – The findings indicate that historical and political factors and diversity of interests in the community affect processes and outcomes of collaboration. Local authorities play a crucial role in bringing together various groups in the Taupo community which are segregated by diversity of interests, especially between Maori and non-Maori community groups. Without local authority facilitation, the Taupo community may remain segregated; inhibited by lack of information; and not having the opportunity to participate in sustainable development. Community participation in the Taupo district is at an infancy stage and collaboration intended to empower communities may result in local authorities recentralising their positions. 
Originality/value – The paper integrates theory and practice and provides valuable insights for statutory agencies seeking to implement the recommendations of Agenda 21 regarding community participation in sustainable development.

year: 2010

title: Speed bumps and l-plates: Female deputy principals' perceptions of the barriers in aspiring to principalship

authors: Neidhardt, Catherine

subjects: leadership

abstract: The majority of New Zealand's teaching workforce is female. In leadership positions,
women outnumber men in the deputy principal role, yet are significantly
underrepresented in principalship. How do women themselves explain this leadership
disparity? This small-scale qualitative research study explores the perceived barriers
in aspiring to principalship that are held by female deputy principals in the primary
sector. It utilises semi-structured interviews to gather data from seven female deputy
principals in primary schools in the Bay of Plenty. Data is analysed thematically in
order to extrapolate the significant barriers identified by the participants.
While international academic literature has acknowledged the disproportional gender
representation within principalship and identified potential factors, the New Zealand
research base is still limited. Further research into the barriers facing female
leadership may benefit future female aspiring principals in New Zealand by providing
an awareness of the potential challenges and offer possible strategies to contend with
the identified barriers.
The research findings indicate a common set of factors perceived to pose barriers to
women aspiring to principalship. These include: the impact of gender, the evolving
role of principalship, the demands of management versus leadership, the maintenance
of work/life balance, familial obligations, participant's self perceptions and the desire
for a  best fit  school as a first time principal.
This study suggests that further professional support structures and leadership
development opportunities be created to respond to the specific needs of aspiring
female principals. The provision of targeted programmes would go some way
towards addressing the barriers identified by participants and ensuring the promotion
and cultivation of aspiring female leaders that is necessary to sustain future
educational leadership in New Zealand primary schools.

text: Speed bumps and l-plates: Female deputy principals' perceptions of the barriers in aspiring to principalship The majority of New Zealand's teaching workforce is female. In leadership positions,
women outnumber men in the deputy principal role, yet are significantly
underrepresented in principalship. How do women themselves explain this leadership
disparity? This small-scale qualitative research study explores the perceived barriers
in aspiring to principalship that are held by female deputy principals in the primary
sector. It utilises semi-structured interviews to gather data from seven female deputy
principals in primary schools in the Bay of Plenty. Data is analysed thematically in
order to extrapolate the significant barriers identified by the participants.
While international academic literature has acknowledged the disproportional gender
representation within principalship and identified potential factors, the New Zealand
research base is still limited. Further research into the barriers facing female
leadership may benefit future female aspiring principals in New Zealand by providing
an awareness of the potential challenges and offer possible strategies to contend with
the identified barriers.
The research findings indicate a common set of factors perceived to pose barriers to
women aspiring to principalship. These include: the impact of gender, the evolving
role of principalship, the demands of management versus leadership, the maintenance
of work/life balance, familial obligations, participant's self perceptions and the desire
for a  best fit  school as a first time principal.
This study suggests that further professional support structures and leadership
development opportunities be created to respond to the specific needs of aspiring
female principals. The provision of targeted programmes would go some way
towards addressing the barriers identified by participants and ensuring the promotion
and cultivation of aspiring female leaders that is necessary to sustain future
educational leadership in New Zealand primary schools.

year: 2009