Understanding cumulative effects from a Te Ao Māori perspective

View summary

This summary aims to help support existing iwi and hapū kaitiakitanga by understanding cumulative effects from a Māori perspective. Information from the more detailed report (Hayden et al. 2023) has been summarised to present some of the barriers faced by iwi and hapū across Aotearoa New Zealand, with regards to the management of cumulative effects in freshwater, estuarine and marine environments, and potential solutions to overcome these barriers. Summary infographics were prepared to assist in conceptualizing and understanding cumulative effects form a Te Ao Māori perspective.

Key points

• One strategy for Iwi and hapū to mitigate the cumulative effects of various land use and land management strategies on the coastal zone is by improving land management best practice.
• Using the underlying principles of integrated planning, i.e., ki uta ki tai, and mauri (vitality) as a barometer of health ensures a holistic catchment management practice and could ensure better outcomes for the mauri of the wai and mahinga kai.
• Spatial management tools can be used to assess cumulative effects, however it is essential that these tools account for the values of iwi, hapū, whānau and rūnanga, to ensure all perspectives are understood, and that potential management actions benefit Māori.