Waitao Social Survey FINAL WORD
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What has Changed Stream Management Practices in the Waitao Sub-Catchment? August 2011 Report prepared for Bay of Plenty Regional Council August 2011 What has Changed Stream Management Practices in the Waitao Sub-Catchment? i What has changed stream management practices in the Waitao sub-catchment? Prepared for Robyn Skelton Manager Land Resources Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council August 2011 Paula Blackett Michael Mackay Catherine de Monchy DISCLAIMER: While all reasonable endeavour has been made to ensure the accuracy of the investigations and the information contained in this report, AgResearch expressly disclaims any and all liabilities contingent or otherwise that may arise from the use of the information. COPYRIGHT : All rights are reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Report prepared for Bay of Plenty Regional Council August 2011 What has Changed Stream Management Practices in the Waitao Sub-Catchment? ii Table of Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... v Executive Summary ........................................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 4 2. Method ..................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Interviews .......................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Face to face surveys. ........................................................................................ 7 3. Results and Discussion ........................................................................................... 8 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 8 3.2 An overview of local social & environmental activities ..................................... 8 3.2.1 Te Awa O Waitao Restoration Project ............................................................. 9 3.2.2 Waitao-Kaiate Environment Group ................................................................ 10 3.2.3 Other relevant events and activities ............................................................... 11 3.3 Key observations: Interviews .......................................................................... 12 3.3.1 Land use and physical changes within the catchment ................................... 12 3.3.2 Changes in environmental knowledge and local environmental issues ........ 13 3.3.3 Changes in awareness of stream management issues ................................. 14 3.3.4 Sense of Community ...................................................................................... 16 3.3.5 What factors detract from local riparian planting initiatives? ......................... 19 3.4 Key Observations: Survey 2011 ..................................................................... 21 3.4.1 Characteristics of the survey sample (people, land & waterways) ................ 21 3.4.2 Waterway management (Waitao Catchment) ................................................ 23 3.4.3 Water way use (Waitao Catchment) .............................................................. 24 3.4.4 Stream Values (Waitao Catchment) ............................................................... 25 3.4.5 Water quality in the Waitao Catchment .......................................................... 25 3.4.6 Environmental issues in the Waitao Catchment ............................................ 29 3.4.7 Observations of weed clearance in lower Waitao Catchment ....................... 31 3.4.8 Tauranga Harbour .......................................................................................... 31 3.4.9 Involvement in community initiatives in the Waitao Catchment ..................... 35 3.4.10 Success in reaching out to the local community ...................................... 37 Report prepared for Bay of Plenty Regional Council August 2011 What has Changed Stream Management Practices in the Waitao Sub-Catchment? iii 3.4.11 Perceptions of the impact of local environment groups/projects ............. 39 3.4.12 Future of the catchment ............................................................................ 40 3.4.13 Other issues respondents wished to raise ............................................... 41 3.5 Integrated interview and survey results .......................................................... 41 3.5.1 Increased environmental awareness, knowledge and action ........................ 42 3.5.2 Changes in stream management practices; .................................................. 43 3.5.3 Local sense of community (social capital) ..................................................... 44 4. How is this research relevant to other groups? ..................................................... 45 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 45 4.2 What makes for high levels of social capital? ................................................. 46 4.2.1 A stable local population ................................................................................ 46 4.2.2 The influence of voluntary groups has boundaries. ....................................... 46 4.2.3 Extensive social networks – everyone is connected ...................................... 47 4.3 Establishing action competence ..................................................................... 48 4.3.1 An event to galvanise the community ............................................................ 48 4.3.2 The role of knowledge (Part A): science and technical support .................... 48 4.3.3 The role of knowledge – Part B local knowledge ........................................... 49 4.4 Funding and support ....................................................................................... 50 4.4.1 Subsidies appear to promote action ............................................................... 50 4.4.2 Groups dislike bureaucracy ............................................................................ 50 4.4.3 Positive relationship between the council and community groups ................ 50 4.4.4 Praise the group and individual landowners .................................................. 51 4.4.5 Support group – group interactions ................................................................ 51 5. Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 52 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... 54 References ...................................................................................................................... 55 Appendix 1: A list of interview questions ......................................................................... 57 Appendix 2:letter sent to recruit interview participants.................................................... 59 Appendix 3: The 2011 survey. ......................................................................................... 60 Appendix 4: letter left with respondents after the survey. ............................................... 71 Appendix 5: Respondents’ comments about a desirable future for the Waitao Stream . 72 Report prepared for Bay of Plenty Regional Council August 2011 What has Changed Stream Management Practices in the Waitao Sub-Catchment? iv List of Tables Table 1: Respondents with waterways on their property by waterway type (note some respondents had more than one waterway on their property) (2011) ............................. 22 Table 2: Use of waterways in the Waitao Catchment (2011) .......................................... 24 Table 3: Positive values associated with Waitao Stream and tributaries ....................... 25 Table 4: Overall perception of water quality in Waitao catchment (n=41) (2011)........... 26 Table 5: Indicators of GOOD water quality (mentioned by local residents) .................... 27 Table 6: Indicators of POOR water quality (mentioned by local residents) .................... 28 Table 7: Perceptions of change in stream condition (locations will differ) (2011) .......... 28 Table 8: Distribution of local participation in stream management initiatives ................. 35 Table 9: Learning as a result of group involvement ........................................................ 36 Table 10: Actions resulting from learning ........................................................................ 36 Table 11: Contact between local residents and key people and organisations .............. 37 List of Figures Figure 1: A map of the Waitao Catchment .......................................................................