Research Book - SUSTAINABLE SEAS - Research themes and projects that are active during 2019 2024
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SUSTAINABLE
SEAS
Ko ngā moana
whakauka
Research Book
Research themes and projects that are active
during 2019 – 2024
April 2021
2021
Tangaroa, Tangaroa, whakamau, whakamau tai
Tangaroa ū mai, kawea mai
Kawea mai rā ki waho
Kawea mai rā ki te moana pipiri, ki te moana hōhunu
Hōhunu ana te wai
Hei aha rā, ki uta!
Hui-te-ana-nui: Understanding kaitiakitanga in our
marine environment (2017). Dr Anne-Marie Jackson
(Ngāti Whātua), Ms Ngahuia Mita (Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki),
Dr Hauiti Hakopa (Ngāti Tūwharetoa). Report for the
Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. Repor t
Cover image: © Dave Allen, NIWA. Inside cover: Te Ngaere Bay © Rod Long
Printed on paper made from 100% post-consumer waste
recycled content and carries a chain of custody certification.
Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge Research Book
ISSN 2624-1676 (Print). ISSN 2624-1684 (Online)
April 2021
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz
Contents INTRODUCTION Our vision 4 Welcome 5 About the Sustainable Seas Challenge 6 EBM for Aotearoa 8 EBM and the blue economy 9 OUR RESEARCH 2019 – 2024 Projects displaying this symbol are supported by the Sustainable Seas Innovation Fund Overview 10 Tangaroa 12 Degradation and recovery 18 Blue economy 22 Risk and uncertainty 34 Enhancing EBM practices 38 EBM and blue economy in action 42
Moemoeā
Our vision
Aotearoa New Zealand has healthy marine
ecosystems providing value for every New Zealander
4 OUR VISION sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz
Nau mai, haere mai
Welcome
Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana kia teretere te kārohirohi e
May the days ignite – as sunlight on greenstone waters
(the shining seas hold the promise of bright futures)
To support our vision, we and our interdisciplinary teams of researchers are working with
Government, iwi, hapū and Māori organisations, industry and communities to
co-develop the knowledge and tools needed.
We are developing an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach uniquely tailored to
our specific context here in Aotearoa. This approach is holistic and inclusive in nature enabling
us to better manage our relationship with our coasts and oceans, including competing uses
and demand on marine resources. It will support Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
partnership and the development of a blue economy that is based on marine activities that
create economic value and contribute positively to social, cultural and ecological well-being.
This book describes our current 2019 – 2024 (Phase II) research projects. We are so grateful
to be working alongside our partners and stakeholders to ensure what comes out of the
research will be useful, fit-for-purpose, and have a meaningful impact beyond the life of the
Challenge. To find tools and resources generated by our completed 2014 – 2019 (Phase I)
research, please visit our website.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to partner and engage with us to date,
your contribution is critical. We look forward to continuing to work with you and others to
improve the health of the moana, support sustainable livelihoods, nurture a more productive
and reciprocal relationship with our coasts and oceans, and safeguard New Zealanders’
social and cultural values, for future generations.
Mangawhai Heads © Josh Young
DR JULIE HALL LINDA FAULKNER
DIRECTOR MANAHAUTŪ
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz WELCOME 5
About the Sustainable
Seas Challenge
WHAT WE DO
There are many and growing uses of Aotearoa
Approximately
250
New Zealand’s marine environment – some of
which are competing. Our research addresses
the question:
How can we best develop our marine
economy, while protecting the taonga
RESEARCHERS
of our marine environment?
To help achieve this, our research focuses on:
from
40
• Improving marine resource decision-making
and the health of our seas through holistic,
ecosystem-based management (EBM)
• Transforming New Zealand’s ability to enhance
our marine economy into a blue economy
All forms of knowledge are important.
Our interdisciplinary research includes
biophysical science, economics, mātauranga
ORGANISATIONS
Māori, social science, and policy. across New Zealand
Note: These figures are currently
being updated.
6 ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE SEAS CHALLENGE sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz
© Louis Olsen sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE SEAS CHALLENGE 7
EBM for Aotearoa
We have developed – with input from stakeholders and Māori partners –
a definition and principles for EBM for Aotearoa. These are a work
in progress, and will continue to evolve.
Co-governance
Human activities Knowledge-based
Governance structures
Humans, along with their that provide for Based on science and
multiple uses and values for Treaty of Waitangi mātauranga Māori, and
the marine environment, partnership, tikanga informed by community
are part of the ecosystem. and mātauranga Māori. values and priorities.
Ecosystem-based management for Aotearoa
A holistic and inclusive way to manage marine environments and the
competing uses for, demands on, and ways New Zealanders value them.
Sustainability Collaborative Tailored Adapts
Marine environments, decision-making Place and time Flexible, adaptive
and their values Collaborative, specific, recognising management, promoting
and uses, are co-designed all ecological appropriate monitoring,
safeguarded for and participatory complexities and and acknowledging
future generations. decision-making connectedness, and uncertainty.
processes involving addressing cumulative
all interested parties. and multiple stressors.
8 EBM FOR AOTEAROA sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz
EBM and the
blue economy
EBM is a mechanism for realising healthy, functioning, marine
ecosystems that provide a basis for a thriving blue economy –
which in turn supports the maintenance of healthy ecosystems.
BASIS OF
EBM Blue
Healthy economy
ecosystems
SUPPORTS
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz EBM AND THE BLUE ECONOMY 9
Our research 2019 – 2024
Overview of themes and projects
If you’d like to know more about our completed 2014 – 2019 research
please visit the website.
TANGAROA BLUE ECONOMY
Beth Tupara-Katene, Awatea Consulting Nick Lewis, University of Auckland
T1: Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: 2.1: Transitioning to a blue economy
Enacting a kaitiakitanga-based EBM Nigel Bradly, EnviroStrat
Kura Paul-Burke, University of Waikato
Richard Bulmer, NIWA 2.2: Restorative marine economies
Drew Lohrer, NIWA
T2: Huatuakina o hapū e! Nigel Bradly, EnviroStrat
Ngarangi Walker, AgFirst Ltd
Ian Ruru, Maumahara Consultancy Services Ltd 2.3: Indigenising the blue economy
in Aotearoa
T3: Ngā Tohu o te Ao: John Reid, University of Canterbury
Maramataka and marine management Jason Mika, Massey University
Caine Taiapa, Manaaki Te Awanui
Waiaria Rameka, Manaaki Te Awanui 2.4: Growing marine ecotourism
Simon Milne, AUT
T4: Te Tāhuhu Matatau: Chris Rosin, Lincoln University
Empowering kaitiaki of Tangaroa
Caine Taiapa, Manaaki Te Awanui 2.5: Building a seaweed sector
Regan Fairlie, Manaaki Te Awanui Serean Adams, Cawthron
T5: He Kāinga Taurikura ō Tangitū:
Treasured coastal environment
INNOVATION FUND
Kelly May, NIWA 2.11: Pātangaroa hua rau:
The bioactive potential of sea stars
Matt Miller, Cawthron
Kura Paul-Burke, University of Waikato
DEGRADATION AND RECOVERY Mathew Cumming, Plant and Food Research
Conrad Pilditch, University of Waikato
2.12: Kohunga Kutai
Andrew Jeffs, University of Auckland
1.1: Ecological responses to Nicola MacDonald, Ngāti Manuhiri
cumulative effects Settlement Trust
Simon Thrush, University of Auckland
Kura Paul-Burke, University of Waikato 2.13: Seaweed sun defence
Mike Packer, Cawthron
1.2: Spatially-explicit cumulative Tom Wheeler, Cawthron
effects tools
Carolyn Lundquist, NIWA 2.14: Whakaika te Moana
Te Rerekohu Tuterangiwhiu, Cawthron
10 OUR RESEARCH: OVERVIEW sustainableseaschallenge.co.nzINNOVATION FUND (continued) ENHANCING EBM PRACTICES
Karen Fisher, University of Auckland
2.15: Thinking outside the can:
engineering toheroa aquaculture
Phil Ross, University of Waikato 4.1: Treaty relationships and EBM
Taoho Patuawa, Te Roroa Rob Joseph, University of Waikato
Beth Tupara-Katene, Awatea Consulting
2.16: A novel approach to aquaculture
in Aotearoa NZ: Growing community 4.2: Policy and legislation for EBM
wellbeing with pātiki tōtara Steve Urlich, Lincoln University
Simon Muncaster, University of Waikato Elizabeth Macpherson, University of Canterbury
2.17: Kia tika te hī ika: Exploring fisheries 4.3: Enabling kaitiakitanga and EBM
tikanga and mātauranga Lara Taylor, Manaaki Whenua
Maru Samuels, Iwi Collective Partnership Meg Parsons, University of Auckland
Irene Kereama-Royal, Ngā Wai A Te Tūī
Māori & Indigenous Research Centre
2.18: Quantifying and reducing EBM AND BLUE ECONOMY
interactions between commercial fishing IN ACTION
gear and the seafloor in New Zealand
Chris Cornelisen, Cawthron
Oliver Wilson, FINZ
S1: Hawke’s Bay regional study
Carolyn Lundquist, NIWA
About the Innovation Fund
S2: Synthesis of Tasman Bay and
This fund is for innovative research
Golden Bay Phase I research
in partnership with enterprise and business
Emma Newcombe, Cawthron
organisations, that will help build a blue
economy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
S3: Synthesis of Tangaroa Phase I research
Sustainable Seas supports these small,
Lara Taylor, Manaaki Whenua
short-term projects with up to $250k for
Jason Mika, Massey University
two years; innovation fund project partners
provide co-funding or funding in kind.
S4: Measuring progress towards Ecosystem
Based Fisheries Management – developing
a monitoring and indicator framework for
the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
TBC
RISK AND UNCERTAINTY
S5: Waikato Regional Council Coastal
Judi Hewitt, NIWA Plan Review
Karen Fisher, University of Auckland
3.1: Perceptions of risk and uncertainty
S6: Ecosystem-based management of
Paula Blackett, NIWA
shellfish in the Marlborough Sounds
Shaun Awatere, Manaaki Whenua
Vonda Cummings, NIWA
3.2: Communicating risk and uncertainty
Joanne Ellis, University of Waikato
Fabrice Stephenson, NIWA
Key Active / complete
3.3: Risks to businesses from uncertainty In co-development
Still to be confirmed ~2021
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: OVERVIEW 11Tangaroa
This research places Māori at its centre, and aims to promote
and support Māori-led or partnered projects to enable direct
benefits to iwi, hapū and Aotearoa New Zealand.
LED BY BETH TUPARA-KATENE (AWATEA CONSULTING)
Ko te moana
Ehara rawa i te wai kau
No Tangaroa ke tena marae
He maha ona e hua e ora ai
nga manu o te rangi
te iwi ki te whenua
The sea is not any water
It is the marae of Tangaroa
It yields life for many things
the birds in the sky
the people upon the land
Whakataukī shared by TAC Royal (1989), referenced by Hui-te-ana-nui: Understanding kaitiakitanga in our marine
environment (2017, p41). Dr Anne-Marie Jackson (Ngāti Whātua), Ms Ngahuia Mita (Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki), Dr Hauiti
Hakopa (Ngāti Tūwharetoa). Report for the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge, Aotearoa New Zealand
12 OUR RESEARCH: TANGAROA sustainableseaschallenge.co.nzMāori maintain a unique and
longstanding connection with the
ocean that permeates aspects
of Māori life, including cultural,
spiritual and economic. This
connection is recognised through
obligations, rights and interests as
Treaty of Waitangi partners. This
research helps address the specific
aspirations and needs of Māori,
where they align with the Challenge
objective, in a way consistent with
kaupapa and mātauranga Māori.
These projects contribute to:
• Addressing the aspirations of Māori
in halting ecosystem degradation and
supporting recovery, including by
developing a model that harmonises
mātauranga Māori and western science,
and enables tangata whenua and rohe
specific approaches and outcomes
• Supporting Māori innovation in blue
economy initiatives to enable development
founded on principles of kaitiakitanga,
manaakitanga, whanaungatanga,
wairuatanga and whai rawa
• Achieving a marine decision-making and
management framework that addresses
risks and uncertainty within a Māori
cultural and commercial context that
recognises intergenerational well-being
• Developing an EBM approach that is
informed by mātauranga Māori, enables
innovative governance and jurisdiction
models at different scales, and recognises
Māori rights and interests through greater
partnership
• Collaborating across all Challenge research
to support a Te Ao Māori approach and
© Graham Prentice, mychillybin
ensure research outputs meet the needs
and aspirations of Māori
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: TANGAROA 13© Kura Paul-Burke
T1 ONGOING
Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Enacting a
kaitiakitanga-based approach to EBM
PROJECT LEADERS Kura Paul-Burke (University of Waikato) & Richard Bulmer (NIWA)
DURATION April 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $1,073,700
This project combines mātauranga intergenerational past to enact the present
Māori, western science and local and inform the future
kaitiakitanga to better understand • Kaitiakitanga – Active guardianship,
the culturally and socially important combine learnings from localised
species in Ōhiwa Harbour. mātauranga Māori with Western science to
enact positive, proactive decision-making
This research is investigating habitat and management action
connectivity as it applies to the unique social,
This project has been co-developed with
cultural and ecological context of Ōhiwa
hapū/iwi of Ōhiwa harbour. It is supported by
Harbour. This will help better understand the
the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the
degrading harbour and promote recovery of
seven partners of the co-management Ōhiwa
the once abundant mussel reefs and shellfish.
Harbour Implementation Forum. This project
The key aim is to co-develop and co-produce has arisen from the issues, challenges, actions
marine research that actively positions tikanga and aspirations of Māori and is grounded in
and mātauranga Māori as a fundamental Whanaungatanga, the principle of working
approach alongside western science for in meaningful, genuine collaboration to
present and future generations. influence how mātauranga Māori and western
science principles and practices are translated
The other research aims are:
operationally in ways that recognise cultural
• Ngā tohu o te taiao – Recognising, values, knowledge systems and opportunities.
interpreting and responding to
RESEARCH TEAM: Shaun Ogilvie (Eco
contemporary tohu or environmental signs,
Research Associates Ltd), Conrad Pilditch
signals and indicators of the natural world
(University of Waikato), Joe Burke (MUSA
• Mahi tahi – Collaborative observation, Environmental), Megan Ranapia (University
action and reflection, look to an of Waikato)
14 OUR RESEARCH: TANGAROA sustainableseaschallenge.co.nzWaipiro Bay, Gisborne © Shellie Evans
T2 ONGOING
Huataukina o hapū e!
PROJECT LEADERS Ngarangi Walker (AgFirst Ltd) & Ian Ruru (Maumahara Consultancy Services Ltd)
DURATION September 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $902,800
This project is enabling kaitiaki to • Create mātauranga-a-hapū frameworks,
better manage Whareponga and processes and tools that will enable kaitiaki
and other decision-makers to protect and
Waipiro Bays.
manage ngā rohe moana
‘Huataukina’ is a metaphor for the challenge • Build whānau and hapū capability to
facing kaitiaki and marine managers around actively participate in decision-making and
Aotearoa New Zealand. Huataukina once management of ngā rohe moana
symbolised an abundance of taonga species
and a thriving community, but now heralds a • Develop understanding and guidance
biodiversity tipping point and the quest for relevant to the application of a whānau,
kaitiaki to restore balance and the prosperity hapū, iwi and mātauranga Māori based
of their hapū and iwi. approach to EBM in the two hapū rohe
moana case studies
This project provides a unique opportunity
for hapū-led and driven research to support The project team is holding a series of
kaitiaki to better manage their rohe moana, wānanga with hapū to co-develop tools
build hapū capacity and capability, and give and frameworks specific to Whareponga
meaningful effect to the principles of the Nga and Waipiro Bays, including: a database of
Rohe Moana o Nga Hapū o Ngati Porou Act knowledge, a dive survey report, a Mauri
2019 for two hapū rohe moana case studies. Compass for the marine environment, a state
of the environment report, and decision-
Anchored in Whareponga and Waipiro Bays, making and policy frameworks.
the project team is looking to:
RESEARCH TEAM: Pia Pohatu, Justin
• Unlock the potential of the Act, Tibble, Agnes Walker (Hapū Kaitiaki Trust
mātauranga Māori and western science to Healthy Families East Cape), Riripeti Reedy
give effect to the practice of kaitiakitanga (Maitai Group Ltd), Nick Shears (University of
over ngā rohe moana Auckland), Joseph Burke (MUSA Environmental)
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: TANGAROA 15© iStock
T3 ONGOING
Ngā Tohu o te Ao: Maramataka
and marine management
PROJECT LEADERS Caine Taiapa (Manaaki Te Awanui) & Waiaria Remeka (Manaaki Te Awanui)
DURATION April 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $580,900
This project is investigating ecosystems and informing knowledge-based
maramataka (Māori moon calendars) EBM. Maramataka will be used as a tool to
explore mātauranga Māori specific to coastal
as a framework to develop cultural
and marine ecosystems. This project is
coastal indicators to inform marine investigating three questions:
monitoring practices.
1. How do we reclaim maramataka
Maramataka are an ancient knowledge system knowledge and practices to inform
developed over many millennia through an transformative practice in coastal and
intimate connection with the environment. marine assessment?
Maramataka are a natural timekeeping system
2. How can maramataka be used as a catalyst
that use the movement of the moon through any
to reclaim mātauranga Māori for the coast
given month or season to determine appropriate
and marine environment?
times for various customary activities. Although
maramataka are not as widely applied today, 3. How do we use both maramataka and
the knowledge and practices surrounding reclaimed mātauranga Māori to reframe
moon calendars have been preserved in cultural indicator framework development?
indigenous communities across the Pacific.
Three case study groups are setting the
In Aotearoa, maramataka are still applied by foundation for collective inquiry into
indigenous practitioners to inform interaction maramataka and mātauranga Māori,
with the environment and guide ecosystem conducted through a series of wānanga:
management practices. The cultural marine and (i) Pakirikiri Wānanga – Ngāti Porou
coastal seascapes of Aotearoa have undergone (Tokomaru Bay); (ii) Waiora Marae – Ngāti
rapid ecosystem change. Understanding the Kuri (Taitokerau); and (iii) Tauranga Iwi
extent of change and the associated impact Customary Fisheries Trust (Tauranga Moana).
to social, economic and cultural well-being
RESEARCH TEAM: Regan Fairlie (Manaaki Te
is critical to effective implementation of
Awanui), Te Rerekohu Tuterangiwhiu (Wheiao
ecosystem-based management (EBM).
Whakaaro), Pakirikiri Wānanga (Tokomaru Bay),
This project addresses the need to reposition Waiora Marae (Ngāti Kuri), Rereata Makiha/
mātauranga Māori as an integral and vital Rihi Motutere, Robert McGowan (Ngā Whenua
knowledge system for understanding coastal Rāhui), Phil Ross (University of Waikato)
16 OUR RESEARCH: TANGAROA sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Regan Fairlie
T4 ONGOING
Te Tāhuhu Matatau: Empowering
kaitiaki of Tangaroa
PROJECT LEADERS Caine Taiapa (Manaaki Te Awanui) & Regan Fairlie (Manaaki Te Awanui)
DURATION April 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $600,100
This project is co-developing tools • Māori tools and frameworks to help
and resources to empower kaitiaki academics and government agencies
engage with kaitiaki
decision-making in the domain of
Tangaroa. • How to maintain the online resources
beyond the life of this project
Bringing the worlds of mātauranga Māori
The incorporation of tikanga Māori and pou matua
and science closer together can enhance the
(guiding principles) continue to be a hallmark
expression of kaitiakitanga by connecting
feature, guided by the previous learnings:
kaitiaki to trusted sources of knowledge and
tools for ecosystem-based management (EBM). • Building trust – Through kanohi ki te
kanohi, kōrero, uiui and wānanga
This project builds on the Tāhuhu Matatau
Te Ao Tangaroa project, which focused on • Telling the stories of kaitiaki –
reclaiming and reframing mātauranga Māori to Acknowledging kaitiaki stories and their
enable kaitiaki of Tauranga Moana to develop whakapapa connections
relevant tools for marine decision-making.
• Connection – Building whanaungatanga
The project team, with participating hapū and
by connecting kaitiaki to knowledge, tools
kaitiaki, co-developed a prototype of an online
and people
pātaka mātauranga (digital resource).
• Ownership – Maintaining tino
For this project, the overarching aim is to
rangatiratanga over kaitiaki knowledge
empower kaitiaki across Aotearoa with relevant
environmental management approaches, • Protocols – Creating the space to wānanga
frameworks and tools for an EBM approach. tikanga and kawa required for the safe
This will be achieved by further developing the keeping of kaitiaki stories
pātaka mātauranga website, focused on:
RESEARCH TEAM: Te Rerekohu
• A marine spatial mapping tool to assist Tuterangiwhiu (Wheiao Whakaaro), Pakirikiri
with reclaiming mātauranga Wānanga (Tokomaru Bay), Waiora Marae
(Ngāti Kuri), Rereata Makiha/Rihi Motutere,
• Digital resources to improve science
Robert McGowan (Ngā Whenua Rāhui),
communication between academics
Phil Ross (University of Waikato)
and kaitiaki
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: TANGAROA 17Degradation
and recovery
Investigating ways to assess the effects of human activities
on marine ecosystems, and the potential for recovery.
LED BY CONRAD PILDITCH (UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO)
18 OUR RESEARCH: DEGRADATION AND RECOVERY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nzMarine ecosystems are affected
by human-induced stressors (eg
climate change, fishing, pollutants,
dredging) at multiple scales. These
stressors interact in complex ways
and some can be transported long
distances, causing cumulative
effects that extend over large areas
and build up over time. This makes
managing marine environments, and
assessing the likely degradation – or
recovery – of ecological, social and
cultural values if certain activities
proceed, extremely challenging.
Stakeholders and Māori partners have
consistently highlighted that a greater
understanding of the cumulative effects
from multiple activities, and how they can be
managed to recover ecological function and
marine values, is a priority.
We are therefore developing:
• Methods to map stressor footprints and
their impacts on ecosystem services
• Methods to assess the recovery potential
of degraded habitats
• An assessment of how ecological
degradation and recovery alters peoples’
values from a mātauranga and tikanga
Māori context
• Tools to improve cumulative effects
management
© Crispin Middleton, NIWA
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: DEGRADATION AND RECOVERY 19© Charlotte Panton, Sustainable Seas Challenge
1.1 ONGOING
Ecological responses to cumulative effects
PROJECT LEADERS Simon Thrush (University of Auckland) & Kura Paul-Burke (University of Waikato)
DURATION March 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $3,904,000
This project brings together • Identifying constraints on ecosystem recovery
mātauranga Māori and western to better manage risk and expectations.
science to address the cumulative We will engage in field studies, develop
effects (CE) of multiple stressors models and work with broader environmental
on soft-sediment and rocky reef initiatives across Aotearoa New Zealand
proposed by iwi, community groups and
biodiversity and ecosystem function.
central or regional government that support
This knowledge is necessary to underpin models, EBM developments in the Hauraki Gulf,
decision-making processes and to implement Tauranga and Ōhiwa harbours, Marlborough
EBM. Building on our Tipping points and Sounds, and Southland estuaries. In the
Ecosystem services research, this project is: context of each of these initiatives, we are
identifying the ecological communities
• Co-developing place-based tohu and processes that play important roles in
(indicators) of the ecological condition of ecosystem service delivery and resilience.
our estuaries and coasts
This research will allow us to develop frameworks
• Developing ecological footprint analysis across the Challenge that improve the way we
to support improved decision-making, make decisions about the risks posed by different
investment and knowledge of how activities in the marine environment, and the
activities and stressors impact on opportunities we have to improve the ecological
biodiversity and ecosystem services health and mauri of our coasts and estuaries.
• Investigating recovery bottlenecks of reef RESEARCH TEAM: Conrad Pilditch
and soft-sediment seafloor ecosystems (University of Waikato), Karin Bryan
(University of Waikato), Nick Shears
• Developing new methods to map
(University of Auckland), Judi Hewitt (NIWA/
ecological response footprints of stressors
University of Auckland), Drew Lohrer (NIWA),
and their impacts on ecosystem services
Carolyn Lundquist (NIWA/University of
• Providing a CE assessment framework Auckland), Dave Schiel (University of
based on understanding of interactions Canterbury), Steve Wing (University of
between ecosystem components to inform Otago), Candida Savage (University of Otago)
marine spatial planning and risk assessment
20 OUR RESEARCH: DEGRADATION AND RECOVERY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Carolyn Lundquist
1.2 ONGOING
Spatially-explicit cumulative effects tools
PROJECT LEADER Carolyn Lundquist (NIWA)
DURATION June 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $1,100,000
This project is incorporating Specifically, this project will incorporate the
cumulative effects of multiple findings from the Ecological responses to
cumulative effects project (which is looking
stressors (from human activities
at the interactions between stressors, and
on land and sea) into decision- how these stressors act both singularly and in
making tools. combination) into new decision support tools.
One of the challenges of ecosystem-based These new tools will help decision-makers
management (EBM) is the difficulty of better understand CE and develop robust
incorporating the cumulative effects (CE) of criteria for assessing whether new activities
multiple stressors into decision-making. can be accommodated or are likely to trigger
an ecological tipping point.
Current marine management practice typically
focuses on single stressors, or single sectors, This project is developing three models that
single habitats, or single species. However, will be user-tested at the national, regional and
the interactions between multiple stressors local rohe moana levels and include SeaSketch
and where and when a stressor footprint education support tools. These models address:
occurs are important considerations when
1. Stressor interactions
determining effects on ecosystems.
2. System capacity
Few tools exist to assess the CE of multiple
stressors in marine ecosystems. This makes 3. Recovery dynamics
effective management difficult and can be
RESEARCH TEAM: Amy Whitehead (NIWA),
a source of uncertainty in management
Anne-Gaelle Ausseil (Manaaki Whenua),
decisions around an ecosystem’s capacity to
James Whetu (Whetu Consulting), Hilke Giles
cope with the effects of new activities.
(Pisces Consulting Limited), Tom Brough
To address this issue, this project is building (NIWA), Stephanie Watson (University of
the capacity of existing marine spatial Waikato), Shane Geange (DOC)
management tools to include CE assessment.
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: DEGRADATION AND RECOVERY 21Blue
economy
Investigating opportunities for marine activities that create
economic value and contribute positively to social, cultural
and ecological well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand.
LED BY NICK LEWIS (UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND)
22 OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nzDeveloping the economy is
generally still seen as separate to,
and often at odds with, social and
environmental goals, but they are
intrinsically linked. Healthy marine
ecosystems require a marine
economy that is committed to
ecologically sustainable practices
– and long-term economic use
of marine resources depends on
healthy marine ecosystems.
Our research has identified opportunities
to help Aotearoa New Zealand transition to
a blue economy by encouraging activities
that are sustainable, resilient to climate
change, minimise waste, and have positive
impacts on society and culture.
Our current research is focused on helping
to grow these activities and develop a blue
economy made up of activities that:
• Arise from ecologically and socially
responsible investment
• Use ecologically and culturally
appropriate technologies to create
economic values from marine activities
• Reduce ecological risks and harms
• Respond to, and encourage,
ecologically and culturally responsible
consumer behaviour
• Contribute directly to social, cultural
and ecological well-being
We define a ‘blue economy’ as:
Marine activities that generate
economic value and contribute
positively to social, cultural and
ecological well-being.
© Hamish McCormick
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY 23© Charlotte Panton, Sustainable Seas Challenge
2.1 COMPLETED
Transitioning to a blue economy
PROJECT LEADER Nigel Bradly (EnviroStrat)
DURATION August 2019 – November 2019 BUDGET $90,000
This project identified which marine The team worked closely with iwi and
activities have the potential to help stakeholders to gather a range of perspectives
to ensure a broad understanding.
New Zealand transition to a blue
economy – ie they are sustainable, This work was a critical foundation for
resilient to climate change, minimise developing other projects under our Blue
Economy research theme and the Innovation
waste, and have positive impacts on
Fund.
society and culture.
RESEARCH TEAM: John Reid (Canterbury
This project did a stocktake of national and University), Cerasela Stancu (EnviroStrat),
international blue economy developments, Fraser Stobie (EnviroStrat), Victoria Jollands
and examined threats and constraints, as well (University of Auckland), Nick Lewis
as opportunities. (University of Auckland)
KEY FINDINGS
Current status and trajectories of New Zealand (and international) blue economy sectors
Innovative financing around:
?
• Carbon sequestration
• Water quality enhancement
• Biodiversity values
Prospective
• Blue biotechnology: nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutrition
• Artificial intelligence: microalgae / pathogen identification, stock health assessments
• Zero waste / circular economy
• Low carbon transition – electric vessels
Emerging • Certification and behaviour change in Māori fisheries
• Aquaculture: multi-trophic, open ocean farming, seaweed
• Ecosystem enhancement / restoration
• Blue technology: robotics, shipping vessel construction, hatcheries
• Fisheries: by-product value capture, values-based supply chain, new methods,
Evolving
low impact gear selectivity and fishing practices
24 OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Greg Lois Nunes
2.2 ONGOING
Restorative marine economies
PROJECT LEADERS Drew Lohrer (NIWA) & Nigel Bradly (EnviroStrat)
DURATION January 2021 – September 2022 BUDGET $900,000
This project is investigating how • The sustainable finance sector and councils
to build restorative economies in interested in using environmental credits to
spur sustainability solutions and generate
Aotearoa New Zealand’s coastal
benefits in their communities.
and marine spaces.
However, moving towards restorative marine
Healthy marine ecosystems require a marine economies requires investment, new science
economy that is committed to ecologically and technology, altered practices and
sustainable practices – and long-term regulations, and new measures of performance.
economic use of marine resources depends on
This project is developing knowledge,
healthy marine ecosystems.
frameworks and decision-support tools to
‘Restorative economies’ combine business enable restorative marine economies to
activities and environmental restoration. emerge. As well as developing investment
They aim to foster new investments and propositions, we will develop proof-of-
business enterprises that instead of ignoring concepts using place-based research, and
degradation or contributing to it, actively build the relationships and roadmaps required
seek to enhance the biodiversity and health for the future of the sector.
of degraded ecosystems. This goes beyond
RESEARCH TEAM: Richard Bulmer (NIWA),
the traditional economic concept of operating
Fabrice Stephenson (NIWA), Emily Douglas
within environmental and biological constraints.
(NIWA), Cerasela Stancu (EnviroStrat), Sandra
There is growing interest in restorative marine Cortes Acosta (EnviroStrat), John Reid
economy practices from: (University of Canterbury), Jason Mika (Massey
University), Ann Smith (EnviroStrat Associate,
• Iwi, communities and individuals interested
ex CEO Toitū Envirocare), Fraser Stobie
in restoring their local environment
(EnviroStrat), Adam Daigneault (EnviroStrat),
• Businesses aiming to reduce their Nick Lewis (University of Auckland), Jenny
environmental impact and increase their Hillman (University of Auckland)
resilience through activity diversification
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY 25© Dive Tutakaka
2.4 ONGOING
Growing marine ecotourism
PROJECT LEADERS Simon Milne (AUT) & Chris Rosin (Lincoln University)
DURATION December 2020 – July 2023 BUDGET $500,000
This project is supporting Innovative approaches are being adopted to
development of marine ecotourism identify, investigate, and achieve the desired
outcomes. Key to this is forming a network
that embraces regenerative principles
that enables cross-sectoral learning and can
and supports a blue economy. drive and enact change.
Before Covid-19, tourism contributed 9.8% We are working in partnership with iwi,
GDP, $40.9 billion and 14.4% national industry, government and community to:
employment (StatsNZ, 2019). While Covid-19
• Establish a baseline of marine ecotourism
has diminished the country’s most valuable
activity
export sector, tourism, it is also a catalyst to
develop marine ecotourism. • Co-create an actionable definition
Our extensive coastline and unique marine • Construct collaborative measures for
environment places Aotearoa New Zealand in ‘success’ and test this in North and South
an excellent position to develop this sector. Island case studies.
But our understanding of marine ecotourism
This research includes wānanga with case
and how it connects to the blue economy
communities and mātauranga experts in
is lacking. Marine ecotourism is an area
factors that contribute to te Taiao, and
often overlooked by policy makers and the
participation in existing marine ecotourism
connections to the spiritual, cultural, social,
activities. An iterative process of adaption and
environmental, and economic well-being of
collaboration across sectors and cultures will
communities is largely unexplored.
enable knowledge exchange and learning to
To develop marine ecotourism activities, we develop tools and frameworks that support
need to understand where we are now, where the development of marine ecotourism.
we want to go, and how we will get there.
RESEARCH TEAM: Keri-Anne Wikitera
Drawing on mātauranga Māori, this project aims (AUT), Carolyn Deuchar (AUT), Joanna
to develop marine ecotourism from low impact Fountain (Lincoln University), Helen Fitt
ecosystem-based management (EBM) principles. (Lincoln University), Eilidh Thorburn (AUT)
26 OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Leigh Tait, NIWA
2.5 ONGOING
Building a seaweed sector
PROJECT LEADER Serean Adams (Cawthron)
DURATION November 2020 – June 2022 BUDGET $500,000
This project is developing a We are working with Māori*, stakeholders,
seaweed sector framework for industry, researchers, and government
agencies that currently, or plan to, operate in
Aotearoa New Zealand.
the sector – either as farmers or as users of
Seaweed has huge potential to contribute seaweed products – to co-develop a Seaweed
to our blue economy. Sector Framework grounded in blue economy
and EBM principles.
Seaweed makes up more than 30% of
aquaculture production worldwide. In 2018, This project is:
the global seaweed sector was valued at more • Reviewing the current state of the
than $13 billion USD, and grew 8% from 2016 seaweed sector (Seaweed Sector Review).
to 2018 (fao.org).
• Co-developing a Seaweed Sector
Successful seaweed sectors overseas have Framework for Aotearoa New Zealand,
hatcheries, large- and small-scale farming incorporating EBM principles.
operations, processing capability and established
seaweed-based products that supply markets. • Testing the framework using Seaweed
These are assisted by on-going research and Case Studies to understand how it can
development, and workforce support. effectively operate across different scales
(eg, local, regional, national and small to
Aotearoa New Zealand has more than 900 large businesses).
native seaweeds, a third of which are endemic.
We have a fledgling but highly dynamic RESEARCH TEAM: Nigel Bradly
seaweed sector operating at small scales, (EnviroStrat), Rob Major (Cawthron),
but many gaps and barriers exist, limiting the Marie Magnusson (UoW), Victoria Jollands
potential growth. (EnviroStrat), Sandra Cortez (EnviroStrat),
Leo Zamora (Cawthron), Tom Wheeler
With the right framework grounded in (Cawthron), Emma Newcombe (Cawthron),
ecosystem-based management (EBM) Shaun Ogilvie (Cawthron), Te Rerekohu
principles, a thriving seaweed sector could be Tuterangiwhiu (Cawthron)
possible in Aotearoa New Zealand.
*In this context Māori is taken to mean iwi, hapū, whānau and/or Māori organisations.
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY 27© Kura Paul-Burke
2.11 ONGOING
Pātangaroa hua rau:
The bioactive potential of sea-stars
PROJECT LEADERS M
att Miller (Cawthron), Kura Paul-Burke (University of Waikato) &
Mathew Cumming (Plant and Food Research)
DURATION December 2020 – December 2022 BUDGET $250,000
This project is investigating the We are addressing how to create an economic
economic potential of collagen and opportunity from these properties to cover
the costs for managing pātangaroa in Ōhiwa
bioactives from 11-armed sea-stars
harbour, which are causing significant
to manage overpopulations. environmental and biodiversity problems.
An over-abundance of pātangaroa (11-armed The aim of this project is to identify the
sea-stars) is causing dramatic decline in bioactive potential of pātangaroa, including
populations of mussels, pipi and cockles. This unique collagens and marine bioactives, and
is causing management issues in coastal areas estimate their economic potential. To achieve
of Aotearoa New Zealand, in particular the this, we are working with local iwi to:
Ōhiwa harbour.
• Determine the bioactives found in pātangaroa
Local iwi, with the support of the Bay of
• Undertake the essential proof-of-concept
Plenty Regional Council and Ōhiwa Harbour
steps for producing marine collagen and/
Implementation Forum (OHIF), are seeking
or novel bioactives from pātangaroa
innovative ways to manage pātangaroa.
• Create a new blue economy model
Because they have to ability to regrow lost
limbs, pātangaroa have bioactive properties The ultimate goal is to co-create a sustainable
that could potentially aid human wound economic opportunity that could fund
healing and skin health. They could also be pātangaroa management, and aid an
a source of marine collagen, which is in high ecosystem-based management model for the
demand for cosmetics and supplements. harbour and surrounding coastline that aligns
with local Māori values.
RESEARCH TEAM: Shaun Ogilvie (Cawthron)
28 OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust
2.12 ONGOING
Kohunga kutai
PROJECT LEADERS A
ndrew Jeffs (University of Auckland) &
Nicola MacDonald (Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust)
DURATION January 2021 – December 2022 BUDGET $250,000
This project is investigating how to Developing a commercial-scale, natural spat-
create a sustainable supply of seed catching product built on mātauranga Māori
will reduce plastic pollution from aquaculture
mussels using mātauranga Māori
activities, lead to the emergence of a new
and western science. local industry based on native plants, and
improve the sustainability of the green-lipped
Every year, the green-lipped mussel
mussel industry.
aquaculture industry uses large quantities
of plastic ropes to catch wild mussel spat We are partnered with three Māori
(seed mussels) to stock mussel farms around aquaculture businesses who are providing
Aotearoa New Zealand. However, there are their infrastructure, facilities and expertise
concerns about loss of this plastic spat- for experiments in real-life industry settings:
catching rope into the sea, and after a number Aotea Marine Farms Ltd (a spat-collection
of years of use, much of this rope ends up in farm), Rough Waters Ltd (an inshore farm),
landfill because it is not always recyclable. and Whakatōhea Mussels (Ōpōtiki) Ltd (an
offshore farm).
We are working with iwi and project partners
to develop an effective, biodegradable This project was initiated in direct partnership
alternative to plastic spat-catching rope. with Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Rehua, and
Mussel spat appear to have a strong natural is co-led by kairaranga (master weavers)
affinity to attach to native plant fibres such as of Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Rehua who are
muka fibre from harakeke (flax), kuta (swamp matatau (expert) in uses of traditional plant
reed) and tī kōuka (cabbage tree). Mātauranga fibre products.
Māori is guiding the identification of these
RESEARCH TEAM: Brad Skelton (University
plant fibres, their sources, and processing
of Auckland), Katarina Tawiri (Manaaki Whenua)
and uses for a series of field experiments
to determine the most suitable fibres for
commercial spat collection.
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY 29© Ruslan Dashinksky, iStock
2.13 ONGOING
Seaweed sun defence
PROJECT LEADERS Mike Packer (Cawthron) & Tom Wheeler (Cawthron)
DURATION February 2021 – January 2023 BUDGET $250,000
This project is investigating the We have partnered with Wakatū Incorporation
potential of algae bioactives to and SRW Laboratories Ltd to:
prevent and improve the outcomes • Undertake an 18-month marine farm
of sunburn. seaweed biodiversity study to sample and
collect species seasonally
Sunscreen, make-up and lip care products
• Identify seaweed and algal species
contain ingredients that can filter UV rays.
However, many suncare products can have • Analyse the collected material and extracts
damaging side-effects, and many are being for the target bioactives and antioxidants
banned due to their environmental impact on
• Develop a proof-of-concept for
corals and other marine life. We need products
commercialisation
that don’t harm us or the environment.
The knowledge generated in this project
Some seaweed and algae species have
will help to diversify aquaculture activities,
compounds – or bioactives – that can
provide employment, improve ecosystem
protect them from UV damage. Some of
health, and develop a seaweed aquaculture
these compounds are being used overseas
industry in Aotearoa.
in high-value ‘natural’ suncare products. We
are interested in their potential to prevent This project was co-developed with Wakatū
and treat sunburn in additional new ways Incorporation and SRW Laboratories Ltd.
beyond simply blocking damaging UV light. The industry partners are also providing an
These include potentially interacting with the additional $200,000 co- and in-kind funding.
processes underlying the sunburn process and
RESEARCH TEAM: Gary Fisher (University
modulating this for beneficial effects.
of Michigan), Andy Elliott (Wakatū
We are drawing on mātauranga Māori and Incorporation), Paul South (Cawthron),
western science to identify which of Aotearoa Jonathan Puddick (Cawthron), Jonathan
New Zealand’s native and endemic seaweed and Banks (Cawthron)
algal species are best to develop for innovative,
environmentally friendly sunscreen protection.
30 OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Taoho Patuawa
2.15 ONGOING
Thinking outside the can:
engineering toheroa aquaculture
PROJECT LEADERS Phil Ross (University of Waikato) & Taoho Patuawa (Te Roroa)
DURATION December 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $250,000
This project is developing To find out if toheroa aquaculture is viable, we
sustainable, community-based are working with our project partners to:
aquaculture in Te Taitokerau. • Look at the reliability and sustainability of
wild toheroa spat supply
The toheroa, an iconic surf clam and taonga
species, were once plentiful on the west • Determine the knowledge and technology
coast beaches of Te Taitokerau and a world- we need to grow it in land-based
renowned kaimoana. But populations collapsed aquaculture systems
in the 1960s after decades of unsustainable • Develop capacity and capability
harvest, and harvesting was banned. Despite (including educational opportunities for
more than 50 years of protection, wild toheroa upcoming generations) to support iwi and
populations haven’t recovered. community leadership and participation in
However, spat (juvenile toheroa) still appear aquaculture
along the west coast in large numbers. While We are generating knowledge to help the
most of the spat will die in the wild, we believe development of a sustainable toheroa
they can be sustainably harvested to supply a aquaculture and create opportunities that
community-based toheroa aquaculture industry. will contribute positively to the social, cultural,
On paper, toheroa are the perfect aquaculture economic and ecological well-being of the
species. Known to some iwi as ‘the food of people and communities of Te Taitokerau.
the gods’, they are delicious, nutritious, fast This kaupapa may also serve as a model
growing and thrive at high densities. While for other community-based aquaculture
growing wild-harvested spat on farms has development in Aotearoa.
been successful for the green-lipped mussel RESEARCH TEAM: Jonny Hill (Bluetide
industry, we do not know if this approach will Aquaculture), Leo Zamora (Cawthron)
work for toheroa.
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY 31© Chris Sisarich, NZ Story
2.17 ONGOING
Kia tika te hī ika: Exploring
fisheries tikanga and mātauranga
PROJECT LEADERS M
aru Samuels (Iwi Collective Partnership) & Irene Kereama-Royal
(Ngā Wai A Te Tūī Māori & Indigenous Research Centre)
DURATION February 2021 – December 2022 BUDGET $250,000
This project is investigating the To answer this, we are:
tikanga of ICP Iwi Partners as it • Identifying and reflecting Māori knowledge
relates to commercial fishing practice. systems, values frameworks, and tikanga
based practices in fisheries management
Fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand was first
practiced according to tikanga (customs) • Developing case studies of where tikanga
within whānau, hapū and iwi, and founded has or is being applied in specific locations
in te Ao Māori. Colonisation brought laws or with respect to certain species of fish
and customs that were imposed on tikanga that are of special significance to ICP’s iwi
practices. 150 years later, the Fisheries membership
Treaty Settlement recognised Iwi Māori as • Integrating that knowledge to inform a
quota owners – however, they had to modify unique fisheries management system
their practices and behaviours to fit in with developed in collaboration with ICP’s
legislation, which separated customary and commercial fishing partners
commercial fishing. This is an artificial split for
Māori; in the past whānau and hapū managed Research outputs will include: a literature
resources to fit the need. review, interviews and videos of the case
studies, a final report of the tikanga, and a
We are developing transformative fisheries future research plan for the development of a
practice based on tikanga Māori to improve tikanga informed assessment and evaluation
the social, cultural and ecological goals of the framework. We expect that this tikanga
Iwi Collective Partnership (ICP) as an example framework may be applicable nationally within
of fisheries leadership in Aotearoa. the Iwi Māori fisheries sector.
This research asks: What can tikanga do RESEARCH TEAM: Eruera Lee-Morgan
to inform commercial fishing practice? (Ngā Wai A Te Tūī Māori & Indigenous
Research Centre)
32 OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Crispin Middleton, NIWA sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: BLUE ECONOMY 33
Risk and
uncertainty
Addressing how to improve decision-making by
investigating people’s perceptions of risk and
uncertainty, and the best ways to communicate them.
LED BY JUDI HEWITT (NIWA)
34 OUR RESEARCH: RISK AND UNCERTAINTY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nzBeing able to estimate the risk(s)
associated with a course of action
is necessary for any management
regime; but where understanding is
incomplete – ie uncertainty is high –
it is difficult to assess risk.
Understanding how marine ecosystems
respond to stressors is limited due to difficulties
in collecting knowledge – oceans are vast,
and collecting data is resource-intensive.
There is also limited understanding of how
environmental variability and climate change
affect ecosystem responses; how direct
effects of stressors spread through social and
ecological systems to create indirect effects
on ecological and economic health and social
and cultural values; and how sectoral, personal
and cultural perceptions of risk differ.
Understanding perceptions is critical to
understanding whether certain decisions and
the potential consequences are acceptable to
broad sectors of society.
We are investigating:
• Methods that can:
(i) A
ddress risks to multiple ecosystem
components, ecosystem services
or values rather than single-species
responses
(ii) A
ccumulate risks across multiple
stressors
(iii) Predict sudden large changes
• How to incorporate these methods into
tools for decision-makers and other
interested parties
© Dave Allen, NIWA
sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz OUR RESEARCH: RISK AND UNCERTAINTY 35© Jill Scott, NIWA
3.1 ONGOING
Perceptions of risk and uncertainty
PROJECT LEADERS P
aula Blackett (NIWA) & Shaun Awatere (Manaaki Whenua)
DURATION May 2020 – June 2022 BUDGET $852,100
This project is investigating people’s This approach recognises that perceptions of
perceptions of risk and uncertainty risk are underpinned by many different ways
of understanding and interpreting that risk.
in the marine environment and how
these different experiences can By comparing the different ways people
improve decision-making about perceive risk and uncertainty, we will be
able to inform more inclusive tools, policies,
marine resources.
practices and processes that can improve
There are many ways people understand decision-making.
and react to risk and uncertainty. These The aims of this project are to identify tools,
differences can be a source of conflict frameworks or processes that:
in decision-making, especially in the
marine environment. Given the diversity of • Can help make marine decision-making
mātauranga Māori, values and preferences, practices more inclusive
it is not surprising that some decisions made • Address both risk and knowledge
about marine resources are contested. uncertainty in a way that reduces risks to
But there is very little knowledge on the the benefits derived from marine resources
degree to which these perceptions of • Promote Māori rights, interests and values
risk differ and how this affects decisions. in tools, frameworks or processes.
Understanding the different perceptions of
risks and uncertainty is crucial to building RESEARCH TEAM: Nikki Harcourt (Manaaki
consensus around decisions, or at least Whenua), Erena Le Heron (Le Heron Leigh
appreciating why a decision has been made. Consulting Limited), Richard Le Heron
(Le Heron Leigh Consulting Limited),
This research is taking a grounded (case study) Regan Fairlie (Manaaki Te Awanui)
approach with mātauranga Māori at its centre.
36 OUR RESEARCH: RISK AND UNCERTAINTY sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz© Olga Katrychenko, mychillybin
3.2 ONGOING
Communicating risk and uncertainty
PROJECT LEADERS Joanne Ellis (University of Waikato) & Fabrice Stephenson (NIWA)
DURATION May 2020 – June 2023 BUDGET $1,399,990
This project is creating guidelines, • Uncertainties and risks at separate stages of
models and tools that explicitly assumptions, modelling and decision-making.
identify risk and uncertainty, to The team is working with Māori*, stakeholders,
help make decision-making more investors, managers and policy makers to
inclusive and multi-sectorial. co-develop, and scenario test, decision-making
tools that are informed by mātauranga Māori
Decision-making tools that can communicate the and EBM frameworks.
degree of risk and uncertainty associated with a
They are considering the cumulative effects
particular decision are urgently needed. Although
of both marine and land-based activities –
there are risk assessment methods available
with a focus on sediment, nutrients, bottom
internationally, these typically focus on single
disturbance and climate change, as these have
stressors and do not incorporate mātauranga
been identified as the main stressors affecting
Māori or ecosystem-based management (EBM).
New Zealand’s marine environments.
This project addresses two overarching questions:
The team will use scenario testing to integrate
1. What risk assessment tools are available environmental and socio-economic risks into
that incorporate uncertainty into their integrated risk analysis frameworks.
estimates, deal with multiple stressors,
These tools will be trialled in a case study
and are easy for stakeholders and Māori
area, working with Māori researchers in the
partners to understand and/or use?
Awhi Mai Awhi Atu and Perceptions of risk and
2. How do uncertainties (and thus social uncertainty projects.
and ecological risks) accumulate during
RESEARCH TEAM: Judi Hewitt (NIWA/
decision-making?
University of Auckland), Ilze Ziedins
The second question includes the: (University of Auckland), Maria Armoudian
(University of Auckland), Regan Fairlie
• Uncertainties inherent in merging data from
(Manaaki Te Awanui), Richard Bulmer (NIWA),
different scales – eg, scaling environmental,
Dana Clark (Cawthron), Rebecca Gladstone-
ecological and social information up or down
Gallagher (University of Auckland)
to match each other or available model types
*In this context Māori is taken to mean iwi, hapū, whānau and/or Māori organisations.
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