Cross-cultural interest groups’ values and desired states inform biocultural management of wetlands in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Abstract

The unprecedented level of threat currently affecting many of the world’s natural and cultural systems calls for the collaboration of multiple interest groups to engage in coordinated and aligned environmental action. Different interest groups' conflicting values and desired social- ecological system states may, however, hinder successful action and cross-cultural collaborations, and limit environmental management outcomes.

Given the importance of Indigenous peoples’ stewardship in achieving cultural and environmental outcomes, this research investigates human values, aspirations, and constraints influencing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous interest groups’ environmental action. Specifically, I examine which factors might enable greater management and use of natural resources by Māori, the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Drawing from the cognitive hierarchy model of human behaviour, I adopt a perspective that understanding interest group members’ relational values (i.e. values in relation to an ecosystem and its people) and the constraints they experience in expressing those values, can contribute to cross-cultural understanding and enhance decision-making and, in so doing, improve management outcomes both for ecosystems and associated interest groups. To study this, I investigate the values that different interest groups hold in regard to wetland ecosystem management, and examine what constraints might block engagement in value- aligned behaviours (Studies 1 and 2). To reveal potential pitfalls and solutions for cross- cultural collaboration, I identify differences between interest groups’ desired social- ecological system states (Study 3).

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with tangata tiaki (Māori environmental guardians; n=14) from the iwi of Ngāi Tahu (Aotearoa New Zealand’s South Island) and non-Māori environmental managers and/or users (Crown representatives, n=14; Landowners, n=13; and Recreational hunters, n=6). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

The findings suggest the four groups hold related values in regard to wetlands, their management and use, but these values are couched within distinctly different cultural worldviews. Further, these groups have diverging priorities (e.g. customary harvest versus economic benefit), hindering Māori management and use of wetland ecosystems.

Adopting a biocultural perspective, I show that enabling successful outcomes in both ecological and cultural realms requires that constraints to the enactment of values are addressed on multiple levels of the social system: individual, community, and policy (Studies 1 and 2). I also show that all groups share a common desired social-ecological system state, biological wetland health, but tensions exist between environmental and human well-being aspirations for landowners (Study 3). The main conflict between non-Māori groups and tangata tiaki relates to tangata tiaki aspirations for self-determination and for biocultural wetland health that enables the expression of Māori culture.

This research suggests that an understanding of commonalities and differences in cross- cultural values and desired social-ecological system states provides opportunities for initiating collaboration in environmental management, supporting healthy ecosystems and re- generating traditional knowledge systems for future generations.

A biocultural perspective is advocated, which aims to foster a greater integration of diverse groups’ values in cross-cultural environmental management. Most importantly, introducing relational values as part of a biocultural approach can address power imbalances by giving diverse interest groups opportunities to appreciate the perspective, expressed as values and desired states, of other key interest groups, thereby setting the scene for fruitful cross-cultural collaborations.