Proposed Wellington south coast marine reserve (Taputeranga Marine Reserve): towards increasing community support

Abstract

The aim of this research is to develop a set of community focussed guidelines for the establishment of marine reserves in Wellington, based on an in-depth understanding of the perceived impacts of the proposed Taputeranga Marine Reserve on the community. The proposed guidelines form the basis of recommendations that include key factors to help increase community support for future proposals in the Wellington area. Like many public submission processes, community objections to the proposed marine reserve were intense. These objections were classified and analysed using interpretative methods. A stakeholder analysis model developed by the World Bank was applied. The objections to the proposed Marine Reserve were interpreted from a community development perspective, within the framework of the Marine Reserve Act 1971. The analysis of the concerns raised by the community reflected the following issues: - a lack of understanding of the content of the Marine Reserve Act - inadequate consultation with various stakeholder groups - community's well-being affected by the proposed marine reserve - low credibility of the applicant. Many conservation projects are complex and it is normal and healthy to expect some degree of community opposition. In order to achieve greater community support for marine reserve proposals, communities and applicants need to seek collaborative approaches that accommodate multiple interests. The issues raised by the stakeholders of Taputeranga Marine Reserve highlighted the need for future marine reserve applicants in Wellington (and possibly other urban areas) to: - take greater care in the identification of stakeholders - provide more complete information to the community - allow community input into the project proposal