This research commission is comprised of five documents instead of one: an environmental overview (together with the three topic-studies), and separate case studies on Whaingaroa Harbour, the Mokau River mouth, the Waipa River, and Pirongia Forest Park. Whilst each operates as a discrete, standalone report, some minor cross-referencing has been noted to avoid unnecessary overlaps, and the reports should still be read in the context of the original commission. The author of each report is noted in the prefaces: David Alexander for the environmental overview (and the three topic-studies), Martin Fisher for the Whaingaroa Harbour and Pirongia Forest Park case-studies, and Matthew Cunningham for the Mokau River mouth and Waipa River case-studies.