Social dimensions in island restoration: some case studies from Aotearoa – New Zealand

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.

How do we drive a renaissance for national island conservation in Australia?

“…The future restoration of islands requires a holistic approach to coordination: expertise across local community including island custodians, the environment sector and business who collectively bring a diversity of people to the table, and a respect for what these networks offer across different phases of stakeholder and community engagement and action. Inclusion of traditional custodians at the early partnership stage of project planning and discussions to contextualise and respectfully empower shared island management (Bock et al 2022), an emphasis on national partner coordination (Kark et al 2022), involvement and support from bona fide conservation entrepreneurship to finance island development and conservation agendas (Ball 2022), contribution and ownership from local communities into conservation initiatives in Australia (Bryant et al 2022), and the clear message from knowledge gained in New Zealand that island stakeholders and custodians are vital partners to restoration professionals (Saunders et al 2022), collectively demonstrate the time is now for Australia to move forward with a unified national collaborative to progress island conservation and restoration.…”

“…The social dimensions of island conservation are now well recognised (Bryant and Copley 2018), driven increasingly by the involvement of a broader community and by traditional cultures (Gould et al 2021). This shift in responsibility mirrors that in New Zealand where communities and Māori iwi are increasingly demanding that their aspirations and views are considered in planning and implementing island conservation interventions, because as place-located custodians they can provide the generational longevity needed beyond government timeframes (Towns et al 2018;Saunders et al 2022).…”