DEC 2008 Cultural Impact Assessment Woolly Nightshade Bio-Control Agent Application Prepared for Environment Bay of Plenty New Organism Application to Environmental Risk Management Authority New Zealand R MIHI Ko Mauao Te Maunga Ko Tauranga Te Moana Tihei Mauri ora E wehi ana ki a Ihowa te timatanga o te kupu Maungarongo pai ki runga I te whenua Arohanui ki nga tangata katoa E nga mate o te wa e hinga atu e hinga mai nei Haere,haere, haere atu ra Tena koutou rau rangatira ma E rongo mai nei ki tenei Kaupapa kei mua I a tatou I tenei wa Nga karanga maha kei waenganui I a tatou Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mihi ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................. 4 Project Team............................................................................................................................................. 5 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Cultural Impact Assessment .................................................................................................... 7 Methods ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Statutory Framework .............................................................................................................. 10 A Tangata Whenua Perspective on Bio-control ...................................................................................... 12 Maori and the Environment .................................................................................................. 12 Tangata Whenua Approach .................................................................................................................... 12 Kaitiakitanga: Stewardship and Guardianship .............................................................. 13 Rangatiratanga: Self-Determination.................................................................................. 13 Manaakitanga: Hospitality and Protection ...................................................................... 14 Mauritanga: Life-force and Essence ................................................................................... 14 Whanaungatanga: Relationships ........................................................................................ 14 Wairuatanga: Spirituality ...................................................................................................... 14 Consultation and Engagement ............................................................................................................... 15 Background engagement ....................................................................................................... 15 Formal Engagement Process ................................................................................................ 16 Future Applications for Bio-Control from the Applicant ............................................ 18 Assessment of Effects ............................................................................................................................. 19 Environment ............................................................................................................................... 20 Culture .......................................................................................................................................... 21 Health and Wellbeing .............................................................................................................. 23 Participation ............................................................................................................................... 25 References .............................................................................................................................................. 27 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Engagement Hui Kaumatua, Kuia and ringawera of Maungatapu Marae Hui participants of Tauranga Moana Agencies Environmental Risk Management Authority - Zack Bishara Environment Bay of Plenty - John Mather, Sara Brill, Walter Stahel, Des Pooley, Patrick McGarvey Landcare Research - Lynley Hayes Consulting Scientist Richard Hill PROJECT TEAM Co-Author Shadrach Rolleston PhD Candidate Planning Department at the University of Auckland Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning (Hons) - Massey University Co-Author & Co-ordinator Des Heke Kaiawha Bachelor Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Bachelor Social Science (Hons) Resources and Environmental Planning Director of Papatuanuku Services; www.papatuanuku.co.nz Facilitator Nessie Kuka Bachelor Iwi and Environmental Management Post Graduate Diploma Maori Development 5 INTRODUCTION Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) are preparing an application for approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) to import and release from containment the Lace-bug Gargaphia decoris (Hemiptera, Tingidae) as a biological control agent for the weed woolly nightshade. The applicant is acting on behalf of a consortium of Regional Councils and the Department of Conservation. Woolly Nightshade is a serious problem for landowners and is an established noxious weed north of Nelson. Woolly Nightshade is a highly invasive tree that prevents the establishment of other flora. The trees produce numerous seeds and birds aid its spread. The leaves are known to produce harmful skin reactions also. Small areas of woolly nightshade can be successfully controlled by physical or chemical treatment, but there is a substantial seed bank, and reinvasion of cleared patches is common. Neither approach is feasible over the large number of sites in New Zealand where this weed is a problem. In such a situation the use of biological control is a viable option because agents seek out infestations to feed on, and maintain themselves from year to year. When biological control is successful, the agent is able to maintain pressure on the weed everywhere, in perpetuity. This action is selective, promoting gradual change in vegetation composition (Hill, 2008). PURPOSE This report has been commissioned by Environment Bay of Plenty to assess the potential cultural impacts for the release of a biological control agent for the weed woolly nightshade. Consultation and engagement with Tangata Whenua is enacted through the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO). The impacts are assessed and evaluated based on information provided by the applicant and wananga conducted by Tangata Whenua. The overall purpose of this assessment is to: Identify and describe Maori cultural values associated with the release of a biological control agent; Identify the impacts on Tangata Whenua of the release of a biological control agent; Evaluate the effects of the biological control agent cultural values. Recommend measures to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects of the biological control agent. 6 CULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT A cultural impact assessment (CIA) is a report documenting Maori cultural values, interests and associations with an area or a resource, and the potential impacts of a proposed activity on these. A CIA is a planning tool that helps to facilitate Maori participation in the planning process. Like other technical reports, a resource consent applicant may commission a CIA and the report is regarded as technical advice. A CIA is not a statutory requirement for a resource consent application; however, an assessment can assist the applicant and consenting authority in responding to issues affecting Tangata Whenua. The CIA will form part of the applicants Assessment of Environmental Effects. A CIA can: Identify the effects of a proposed activity on Tangata Whenua cultural associations with the environment. Identify or assist identification and formulation of methods to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on cultural values and associations. Suggest what conditions of consent could be applied if consent is granted. Provide iwi and hapu with comprehensive information and improved understanding of the proposed activity. METHODS Many Maori researchers have adopted a philosophical framework that supports a Kaupapa Maori approach to indigenous research. Kaupapa Maori research has emerged as a response to the negative impact of conventional western research methodologies on Maori. Kaupapa Maori research is an attempt to reclaim confidence in the research fraternity, it is also about the promotion of Maori realities (Jones et al., 2006, Barnes, 2006). For many indigenous communities, research evokes negative emotions of hostility, anger, mistrust and cynicism. Research is implicated in the production of western knowledge, and the development of western theories that legitimise the dispossession of Maori knowledge. Western researchers have traditionally adopted a position of dominance. Indigenous knowledge has often been associated in the western context with the primitive and archaic (Semali and Kincheloe, 1999). Many of the challenges of indigenous research relate to the difficulty of interpreting an