Social dimensions in island restoration: some case studies from Aotearoa – New Zealand
Alan Saunders
A * , David Towns B , Keith Broome C , Stephen Horn D , Sue Neureuter E , Katina Conomos F , Peter Corson G , Mel Galbraith H , Judy Gilbert I , John Ogden I and Kate Waterhouse I
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Natural Heritage Team, Waikato Regional Council, Coromandel, New Zealand (Retired).
B Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Institute for Applied Ecology, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
C Department of Conservation, Hamilton, New Zealand.
D Department of Conservation, Invercargill, New Zealand.
E Noises Islands landowner, Cooks Beach, New Zealand.
F Independent consultant, Thames, New Zealand.
G Independent consultant, Quality Conservation, Rotorua, New Zealand.
H Environmental and Animal Sciences, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
I Aotea - Great Barrier Island residents, New Zealand.
Pacific Conservation Biology - https://doi.org/10.1071/PC21036
Submitted: 9 June 2021 Accepted: 4 November 2021 Published online: 14 December 2021
© 2021 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Islands have been a focus for biodiversity conservation in Aotearoa – New Zealand for more than 50 years. Recognition of the impacts of invasive predators, the significant outcomes that can be anticipated following their removal, and growing capacity to eradicate suites of pests from larger islands have underpinned this progress. Increasingly, attention is being directed at treating larger inhabited islands as well as mainland restoration sites where people live nearby and where the social dimensions become increasingly important. The case studies presented here illustrate changes to better acknowledge, consult and collaborate with tangata whenua (local Indigenous people). A focus on forging and maintaining relationships with other local stakeholders such as landowners and community groups is also illustrated. Other social dimensions such as political advocacy and securing institutional and financial support are also outlined in the case studies. We conclude that while much is being learned about opportunities to address social dimensions, those involved in promoting and implementing island restoration will need to remain flexible and apply locally nuanced approaches that reflect social as well as other circumstances at each site.
Keywords: Ahuahu – Great Mercury Island, Antipodes Island, Aotea – Great Barrier Island, biodiversity outcomes, community-led conservation, eradication, invasive species, iwi Māori, locally nuanced approaches, The Noises Islands, Tiritiri Matangi Island.
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