Environmental change incorporates many elements of uncertainty – in rates and scales of change, as well as in our ability to detect, attribute, project and adapt to change. There is also uncertainty in partnerships – in understanding each partner’s perspectives, aspirations and needs.
Whilst the uncertainty associated with environmental change transcends any one perspective or knowledge system, the uncertainty in partnerships can be minimised through communication, and ultimately through building relationships that are underpinned by trust and respect. However, developing effective and enduring partnerships can be challenging.
The Iongairo project around Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula, New Zealand, is an exemplar of a meaningful partnership between mana whenua rūnanga and regional and central government agencies to better understand seafloor ecosystems and drivers of change in this culturally, ecologically, and economically important area.
This presentation will describe the perceived risks and tangible benefits of the approach we took to working better together. We will highlight the importance of a partnership-focused approach that honours and incorporates tikanga and mātauranga Māori, and enabled partners to collectively determine the project goals. We will also share some of the key outputs that will inform environmental management decisions for years to come.