Integrated management: a New Zealand perspective

Abstract

Integrated management is as complex as any environmental system. The 1980's in New Zealand saw a period of reform followed by the introduction of the Resource Management Act (RMA) in 1991 and the associated local government structure. One of the functions of local government, under sections 30 and 31 of the RMA, is to achieve integrated management of the natural and physical resources within their jurisdiction. With a lack of definition in either the RMA or from central government it is up to local government to determine exactly what integrated management is. This study determined, from the literature, the criteria important for achieving integrated management. From this list of criteria, an assessment model was developed with the aim of measuring the level of integration in planning documents. This model was in five sections, each measuring a different aspect or integration. The assessment model allowed assessment of the level of integration between planning documents and a comparison between the sections of a given document. Therefore both an overall measure of integration and areas of weakness could be determined. Wellington Regional Council was selected as a case study because they are the only council to have a regional policy statement and five operative regional plans. The results of this study showed that the assessment model could adequately determine the different levels of integration between each planning document. Analysis of the documents showed differences between the level of integration in the planning documents. Analysis between the sections also demonstrated differences in the level of integration. This model can be used to assess different planning documents for any region regardless of individual environmental pressures.