Collective approaches to ecosystem regeneration: Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network

Biological Heritage National Science Challenge
2022-2024

Team

Ed Challies, Miria Goodwin, Kiely McFarlane

Problem Statement 

Locally, regionally, nationally and internationally there is increasing visibility of the many catchment groups and collectives that are working hard to protect, restore, and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health. In Aotearoa/New Zealand these groups are varied, made up of diverse stakeholders including local landowners, residents, mana whenua, businesses, schools, churches and more. They often work in close collaboration with mana whenua and local and central government. These collective entities have significant potential to amplify community-based restoration by bringing these diverse actors together to work towards improved environmental outcomes in their catchment.  

However, we currently know very little about whether and how collectives enable restoration and the structures, relationships and processes that enable them to be effective in this role. This research examines the structure, relationships and operations of an exemplar collective, the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network (OHRN), to help understand the role and contribution of collectives to ecosystem regeneration in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We adopt a research co-design approach to work with the OHRN and its mana whenua partners, as well as key stakeholders to understand the role and strengths of OHRN in fostering ecological regeneration in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote catchment. Using semi-structured interviews and workshops with OHRN members and affiliated stakeholders, we will consider the strengths that OHRN brings, the key challenges and opportunities faced, and the aspects of organisational structure and process that could support restoration of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote catchment.  

Project Partners:

Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network (OHRN) 

Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga

Cawthron Institute