The exploratory study aimed to understand the range of community responses to three pest eradication technologies proposed for use in New Zealand and to examine community perceptions of past incursion responses, with the aim of improving future responses. Qualitative techniques were used to elicit information from a small group of people selected from the general public, the Department of Conservation and three government councils. Participants were fairly trusting of the basic information provided to them about the three technologies, and as a result were generally accepting of aerial spraying of pheromones and sterile insect technology. However, the use of aerial sprays presented some concerns. More in-depth information, the manner in which it was presented, and how the community was be included in the decision-making process were likely to be the significant influences in predicting the public response to eradication attempts in the future. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Researchers in the AgResearch deer programme are using social research to understand the level of environmental awareness amongst farmers. Our aim in this research was to understand the issues surrounding waterway fencing amongst farmers in Otago and Southland. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected as part of this project. Our findings indicate that the level of environmental awareness amongst farmers was influenced by their specific farm context. Many farmers were defensive when explaining their reasons for or against waterway fencing. Those farmers who did fence off waterways did so for practical reasons. Many believed it was impossible to fence off their waterways. Our findings suggest that the imperatives for fencing have to be balanced with the practicalities. These practicalities tended to centre on the number of streams that would be required to be fenced and the nature of the stream. Many farmers believed they were doing the 'best they could' and therefore did not feel they needed to adopt new environmental practices. Keywords: environmental awareness, waterway fencing, deer farming

The results of a study investigating the response of farmers to adverse weather events are outlined. The aim was to identify adaptive management activities that would increase on-farm resilience. This project focused on beef/sheep farmers, dairy farmers and horticulturalists in Northland. Participants were pragmatic about adverse weather events, particularly storms. Local knowledge, previous experiences, information and networks helped build resilience. Participants highlighted a range of tactical decisions to address immediate damage from storms. However, strategic planning and adaption varied amongst farmers and orchardists as assessment of the cost-benefit of strategic actions differed. This information can be used to help farmers and organisations that assist with recovery assess and build resilience to adverse weather events. Keywords: Northland, dairy, beef/sheep, orchardist, resilience

This study aimed to understand how farmers responded to field days and newsletters delivered in a Focus Farm project for deer farmers in Otago and Southland. In 2006, 30 deer farmers from Otago and Southland were interviewed on their environmental practices. Farmers were re-interviewed after 2 years to assess their involvement in the Focus Farm project and the value of that project to them. This project had a significant impact on both environmental and productivity improvements on the farms (averaging 2.2 and 1.1 changes per farm, respectively), both of farmers who attended the field days and those who only received newsletters (averaging total changes of 4.6 and 2.0 per farm, respectively). Keywords: deer farming, environmental, focus farms, field days, newsletters, productivity

Extension successfully creates change when projects are designed to fit the issue, opportunity, or technology to be implemented, the potential users, and the influences external to the farm team. To better understand when and why different approaches to extension succeed this study developed a typology of nine extension approaches. The nine approaches provide a framework to identify the right extension approaches that will drive sustainable productivity improvements for higher onfarm profitability. Factors that need to be understood when deciding which of the extension approaches is best suited to a particular circumstance are: farmers' awareness of the problem, problem complexity, benefits desired by farmers, compatibility of the new technology with existing farm management, and the ability of the farm team to implement the technology. This paper outlines the 9 extension approaches, and the criteria and process for choosing the appropriate approach for the circumstances. Keywords: extension approaches, technology transfer, co-development