Introducing Cultural Opportunities: a Framework for Incorporating Cultural Perspectives in Contemporary Resource Management

In New Zealand, Maori (the indigenous people) are intimately tied to lands and waters within their tribal territories. Resource use and development has the potential to adversely affect the nature of their relationship, however. In recent decades, Maoris have been seeking greater recognition for their cultural interests through resource managers. A challenge for Maoris arises when resource managers utilize western science techniques that emphasize physical and biological values rather than specifically responding to cultural interests. This paper introduces one conceptualization tool for Maori-Cultural Opportunity Mapping and Assessment-to apply and assess the extent to which different environmental conditions afford them opportunities to engage in a range of cultural experiences, particularly in geographic locations. The paper explains how such a process represents the first stage in the preparation of responsive resource management strategies and plans that deliver cultural outcomes.