Global strategies but local action: Multi-stakeholder partnerships for conservation of the endemic kea (Nestor notabilis) of New Zealand
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Authors
Roberts, Lorne
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Date
2023-08
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
kea (Nestor notabilis)
kea conservation
community engagement
public participation
cross-cultural collaboration
Māori
kea (Nestor notabilis)
kea conservation
community engagement
public participation
cross-cultural collaboration
Māori
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Roberts, L.G. (2023, August 9-11). Global strategies but local action: Multi-stakeholder partnerships for conservation of the endemic kea (Nestor notabilis) of New Zealand [Paper presentation]. Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchruch, New Zealand https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6531
Abstract
The One Plan Approach highlighted in the World Association of Zoo and Aquariums’ conservation strategy Committing to Conservation (Barongi et al, 2015) seeks, amongst other things, to engender greater engagement with and collaboration between stakeholders, thus leading to more effective conservation outcomes for target species. Theoretically, this ‘global strategy’ has potential but for the Kea (Nestor notabilis), an endemic parrot from Aotearoa New Zealand, it was critical to start with domestic partnerships that would create an acceptance and momentum as a base for a more international approach. For this species, decades of human-wildlife conflict had reduced its visibility as a species worthy of evaluation for vulnerability, and poor captive population management had created a stagnant breeding programme. In 2006, a newly formed non-governmental organization, the Kea Conservation Trust, sought to integrate academics from tertiary education; population biologists and rangers from the Department of Conservation; funding, interest and assistance from community stakeholders; and expertise from and collaboration with the zoo industry, to create a groundswell of interest and resources that would lead to demonstrable outcomes for Kea conservation. In-situ collaborative research led to a change in the threatened status from Nationally Vulnerable to Nationally Endangered (DOC, 2023) and from Vulnerable to Endangered (IUCN Redlist, 2023). Research within captive facilities focussed on establishing Kea responses to repellents, investigations into nesting behaviour, and captive management techniques to underpin best practice welfare. The growing interest and focus on this species provided the conditions for further in-situ study, the development of a new recovery programme, and community support continues to drive an array of solutions-based projects aimed at supporting Kea in the wild. The path to creating effective collaborative partnerships has not been without its challenges and the process has highlighted flaws in the early stakeholder consultation process relating to Māori, the indigenous people of the land, who view Kea as Taonga or Taoka species – cultural treasures. Understanding, valuing and incorporating tikanga (Māori practices and values) and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) is key to progressing an inclusive multi-stakeholder plan for endemic species in New Zealand. Effective domestic partnerships and community consultations are critical to forming the appropriate foundation for wider global initiatives
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