Restoration of degraded waterways: Oruarangi Creek

Abstract

In the wake of increasing environmental pressures and the need for urgent remedy, the application of restoration ecology has outpaced its development as a science, and hence much of the conceptual and theoretical framework that must underlie any branch of science is still in its formative stages. As a result many restoration projects have performed poorly. In reviewing the theory of restoration ecology and analyzing key restoration projects this research in part determines the critical factors involved in successful restoration. In determining such factors a sequential model is developed aimed at providing a 'generic model for restoration ecology'. This model is further adapted to include community involvement in which stakeholders are actively involved throughout the restoration process. The science of restoration ecology has only very recently begun to recognize the importance of societal and cultural values and hence much work needs to be focused on providing a framework for identifying accommodating and involving such values. A review of current restoration management approaches and comparison of national policy with national projects shows consistent patterns. Community-based projects continue to be under-resourced, biological goals continue to be favoured over societal and cultural goals, communities continue to be excluded from the decision making process, community involvement continues to be sporadic rather than continuous and that certain groups of the community continue to be excluded e.g. local indigenous communities. Implications of these findings influence a proposed framework for a case study. A restoration plan for the Oruarangi Creek catchment is developed to include focus on ecological, social and cultural goals. In particular given that the environment in question is the ancestral waterway of the people of Makaurau Marae specific attention is focused on providing for the concerns, values and knowledge of the local Maori community. Key Words: Restoration Ecology; Restoration Management; Waterways: Community Involvement; Maori.