Mediated modelling, strong transdisciplinarity and sustainable resource management in the Motueka Catchment of New Zealand

Abstract

The Motueka Catchment is located at the north-western tip of the South Island of New Zealand. After decades of productive intensification, the ecological and social identity of this catchment is still largely intact. To keep things this way, local residents, scientists and planners have been involved in futures model building. To test the suitability of different modelling frameworks for working with stakeholders, we developed (i) an input-output economy-environment model and (ii) a system-dynamic population model. The process of building, trialing and using these models in a diverse stakeholder community has provided the opportunity for reflection on the role of mediated modelling in a sustainability-oriented, action research context of this kind. This paper employs narrative, theorising and research results to re-think the potential role of mediated modelling from a strong transdisciplinary perspective.