This paper includes a brief review of scholarly literature identifying critical criteria to use when running a collaborative planning process in natural resource management, and then discusses the theory in relation to current practice and understanding within regional councils. It finishes with recommendations for developing future guidance for councils considering whether to choose collaborative planning processes.

This paper includes a brief review of scholarly literature identifying critical criteria to use when running a collaborative planning process in natural resource management, and then discusses the theory in relation to current practice and understanding within regional councils. It finishes with recommendations for developing future guidance for councils considering whether to choose collaborative planning processes.