Assessing cultural impacts: Industrial effluents and the New Zealand Maori

Abstract

Historically, waste treatment and disposal in New Zealand have followed principles developed in Western countries by first protecting human health and then protecting water quality and aquatic organisms. Recently, the Government of New Zealand recognized in an important decision that disposal and treatment of wastes should also protect cultural values. Major industrial developments in New Zealand sited in coastal areas have been subject to a process of environmental impact assessment as well as statutory planning procedures. The procedures have not only identified a lack of knowledge of marine ecological processes but have identified a new aspect of pollution, impairment of cultural or spiritual values. The Maori people of New Zealand have made it clear that waste discharges which pollute traditional Maori fishing grounds are unacceptable. For many years, Maori concerns over impacts of wastewater effluents have been expressed at tribunal hearings for water right applications or planning consents. Gunn (1983) comments that in many areas of the country a great credibility gap exists between Maori aspirations and the engineering, legal, and political processes. However, he considers that there is now an onus on the professional engineer to incorporate the Maori perspective into considerations of outfall sites and effluent treatment proposals.