Innovations for climate adaptation

Climate change adaptation is an unprecedented challenge for mana whenua and local authorities. Many feel uncertain and unsupported because there is little guidance as to the range of management and governance changes that will be needed. In spite of this, some are “just doing it”, experimenting and innovating for more just and robust adaptation decision-making. This project spent time learning from these innovators.

This project produced a toolbox of effective governance and management approaches, drawing primarily from the innovations of three mana whenua organisations and seven local authorities in Taranaki, the Bay of Plenty and Otago. Our particular focus was:

• Changes to organisational arrangements within organisations
• Changes to governance arrangements between organisations

Our research tracked these initiatives over time and listened to multiple perspectives on what worked and what didn’t work, and why.

We were particularly invested in understanding the inclusiveness and equity implications of different approaches, and which of them supports the realisation of rangatiratanga in climate adaptation. We engaged widely with hapū and iwi, and with local authorities, to understand if and how our findings might be useful and relevant, and to share insights.

Using a “just and robust” lens drawn both from literature and learning with research partners, we developed recommendations for the governance and management of climate adaptation initiatives.

In the media:

• Study prompted by climate change impacts, Otago Daily Times