The Land and Water Forum provided a unique opportunity for researchers to observe and interview participants in a collaborative governance process in action, and to draw conclusions and make suggestions based on current, real-life experiences which are of direct relevance to how we do things in New Zealand. This publication provides a case study that reflects researchers’ observations and interviews with participants of New Zealand’s first national attempt at collaborative governance in the complex and frequently contested area of freshwater management. The Land and Water Forum’s deliberative-based approach provides useful lessons for those involved in other areas of policy development and resource management. The success of this model suggests other opportunities for adopting collaborative governance should be contemplated.
The Land and Water Forum provided a unique opportunity for researchers to observe and interview participants in a collaborative governance process in action, and to draw conclusions and make suggestions based on current, real-life experiences which are of direct relevance to how we do things in New Zealand. This publication provides a case study that reflects researchers’ observations and interviews with participants of New Zealand’s first national attempt at collaborative governance in the complex and frequently contested area of freshwater management. The Land and Water Forum’s deliberative-based approach provides useful lessons for those involved in other areas of policy development and resource management. The success of this model suggests other opportunities for adopting collaborative governance should be contemplated.