Dairy farmers' responses to water quality interventions : a case study in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture and Environment, Palmerston North, New Zealand

New Zealand freshwater quality has declined, and dairy farming is one identified contributor to this decline. This research provides insight into dairy farmers responses to the water quality interventions introduced to mitigate diffuse pollution, and the socio-cultural dynamics that shaped their responses. Putnam’s (2000) social capital theory was the theoretical framework used to explore how and why New Zealand dairy farmers responded to water quality interventions and the role of social capital in shaping dairy farmers’ responses. A single qualitative case-study research design was undertaken in one Water Management Zone of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region. Data was drawn from semi-structured interviews with dairy farmers and key informants, and from documents. Farmer response is identified as a multi-dimensional rather than a uni-dimensional phenomenon. The dairy farmers responded to water quality interventions as individuals and collectively, and these responses were linked and interwoven. Individual farmer awareness and understanding, emotion and behaviour changed. Collectively, resistance, social learning, formation of a farmer-led action group and changes in accepted farming practices occurred. In addition, social interactions through social networks, trust, social norms and being a ‘good’ farmer that uses ‘best’ farm practice (farmer identity) emerged as key influencers of the dairy farmers’ individual and collective responses to water quality interventions. The socially constructed collective agreements on accepted behaviour, or cultural, personal and practice norms, influenced farmers’ individual and collective responses to interventions. The identified cultural norms associated with private property ownership, equity and fairness, social responsibility and relationships, and personal norms associated with the stewardship of land and water, reflected the farming culture of the farmers interviewed and the broader group to which they belong. A broad collective change in what farmers believe are the expected farm management practices around farming and water quality (practice norms) influenced individual farm practice change. In addition, informal farmer sanctioning of practice norm violation was found to be a key part of the process by which farm practices that had a negative effect on water quality were challenged, and new practice norms were fostered. The collective farmer resistance to regulation and the actions of a farmer-led collective action group were in fact resistance to an intervention that was perceived to challenge their social norms, their identity as ‘good farmers’ and to disregard their local knowledge; not resistance to practice changes that will improve water quality. Dairy farm management practice change is a social process of exchanging information and knowledge, questioning, challenging current practice and reinforcing what is considered accepted practice around farming and water quality. This understanding provides a valuable contribution to the design and implementation of environmental policy interventions

The development of management guidelines for sustainable livestock farming in the Hawke's Bay : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Farm Management at Massey University

Appendix 4 has been removed as it is copyrighted to Hawke's Bay and Wairoa Federated Farmers, but it may be consulted in the print copy in the Library.Regardless of how sustainable land management is defined, it will never be achieved unless land users are involved in, and committed to, its attainment. To commit to a goal of sustainability, stakeholders must share in the identification of resource management problems and in the development of solutions that are both economically and socially acceptable. Facilitated workshops were held with twelve farmer and two agribusiness groups in the Hawke's Bay during July and August 1994. The workshops were held to involve participants in the development of guidelines for pastoral farming in Hawke's Bay and Wairoa, using the "by farmers for farmers" approach. The farmer workshops were used to develop an operational description of sustainable livestock farming and to identify the main components of sustainability. The agribusiness workshops sought to encourage support by this sector for the guidelines and the farmers who would implement them. The advantages associated with sustainable farming applied to all components of the system. The farmer and family, natural resources (the farm), the community and future generations all were all seen to benefit from sustainable farming. Through the workshops, the farmers identified the components and criteria that describe sustainable farming. They suggested that sustainable farming may be recognised by practices that result in productive soil, sufficient water quantity, good water quality, productive pasture, appropriate trees, productive animals, and successful, prosperous and flexible farmers. Using the concept pyramid process, farmers identified key management practices that would result in the sustainable use of soil, water, animals and plants in the fanning system. A farming committee was elected to represent the views of farmers, and work with the consultant commissioned by Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers, to produce the pastoral farming guidelines. The management practices identified by farmers were written to a set of guidelines, which were circulated for public comment and submission. The workshop participants, stakeholders and the general public were involved in the consultation process, to continue the participatory approach utilised in the workshops. All workshop participants were sent a complimentary copy of the pastoral guidelines and a questionnaire. The survey aimed to assess the participants' perceptions and usage of the guidelines, as well as gauge farmer interest and obtain direction for follow-up work. In broad terms, the guidelines met the expectations of farmers and were viewed as being useful for encouraging discussion about, and implementation of, sustainable farming practice