Herramientas de la calidad

Next to Nelson, the Manawatu-Wanganui Region is distinguished as having the smallest area of coastal waters, and the smallest land to sea ratio overall (O.lha of sea for every I ha of land). Total land area is 2.22 million hectares, dominated by hill and mountain land (69.6%) but with significant areas of plains, terraces, downlands and sand country (horizons.mw 1 999). Mean population density is similar to Hawkes Bay at 0. 1 people/ha, but revenue is considerably lower at $27.2 million ($ 1 8.8m below median and $27.6 below the mean). Despite wording, SLM-related issues are essentially the same as those experienced by other regions, but compounded by having an extensive diversity of agriculturally-used landscapes.

Five broad methods of implementing policy are recognised (horizons. mw, 1 998 & 2003) : provision of infomlation, education & advice; advocacy; incentives; regulation; and the provision of goods & services. Officially, the MWRC favours the provision of information; has a limited ability to provide services; does not consider financial incentives as a practicable means of implementing policy; and makes limited use of other economic instruments (e.g. financial disincentives). No explicit standpoint on regulation was stated.

The Council ' s overall approach stated by the person interviewed (Grant Cooper) was one-to-one advice backed up by assistance if necessary. It was felt that the Council is not strongly pursuing regulatory approaches, but has a greater prefe rence for advocacy, advice, and education. Tllis was unlikely to change in the near future, although it was acknowledged the specific mechanisms will continue to evolve: "we'll try and get smarter at doing things and use different tools, rather than just the same type of tlling for everybody . . . we'll try and focus on different areas' .

MANAWATU-WANGANUI REGIONAL COUNC I L SUMMARY

AREA: 2.22 million ha of land" & 0.33 million ha of coastal waters

POPULATION: 226,61 7 REVENUE: S27.1 9 million

EXPEI'VITURE: $26.9 million (2002); $2.6 million in Land Resource Mgt SLM-RELATED ISSUES (from RPS):

-Understanding of, & attitudes toward, SLM

-Loss of productive capability of land (inc/. vulnerable soils)

- AdverseeffectsclJanduse,contaminants, urban growth,&pest5lweeds

-Decline of natural features, habitats & landscapes -Adverse effects on lakes, rivers & wetlands; surface &

groundwater quality & quantity RELEVANT PLAN STATUS

- RP for the Beds of Rivers & Lakes & Ass. Activities (operational)

- OrouaCatchment Warer Allocation & River Fkms RP(operational) - Land & Water Regional Plan (proposed)

REGIONAL LAND USE"

AGRIClJt.IURAL • NA7IVE FORfST

o SCRUBLAND, DUNELAND, IUSSOCI(, Ere

::J OTHER (urban, rivers, lakes, quarries, ete)

• 0071( FORfST

• Derived from NZLRI (see Appendix 3)

Fig1lre 2. 15: General summaty for Manawafll-Wanganui Regional Council.

A preference for assistance is clearly appaIent in the degree of instrument use (Table 2. J 3 ) . This is in the dual context of financial grants and technical services. both of which were afforded a status of major use. While use of grants may increase slightly, the interviewee would prefer the existing grant ratios to remain unchanged (i.e. they currently represent an appropriate balance between providing too-much or too-little financial incentive/assistance). Likewise, the use of technical services was unlikely to change, as the current degree is thought to appropriately reflect demand.

Education is used, with a stated preference for future use to be taIgeted at educating tile public, as the Council's existing level of one-to-one interaction facilitates an acceptable degree of fMmer education. A biennial

environmental awaId with a farming category is used, but was subject to the problems ex:perienced by other councils (paIticularly witll the same group of faImers applying each time). Regulation receives minor use. mainly to protect the 'environmental bottom line ' . However, it was acknowledged that it is used more in water

management than land/soil management. Tradable rights are not used, although tlley have been discussed as a n option for managing tile Region's increasingly contentious allocation o f water resources. This was not supported by the interviewee, as it was felt that market -driven water allocation fails to address unsustainable levels of water consumption.

CUlTent use Probable change in use Pr'efen'ed change in use

Major use; will provide financial grants Financial for soil conservation. riparian works

Slight increase Preferred no change; considered the

incenti,'es and pest control (fi.lIld of $300.000 for existing grant rates to be balanced 2000)

Financial

Not used directly No probable change indicated No preference given

disincentives

Technical

Major use Probably no change Supported no change: current use of

services services renects current demand

Com petitions, Used; environmental award with Supported no change. but was

categories. Offered once every two Probably no change conscious of the same fanners appl. ing

awards & prizes

years year after year

Financial Did not choose to distinguish between Did not choose to distinguish between Did not choose to distinguish between

assistance finanCial incentives and assistance finanCial incentives and assistance finanCial incentives and assistance

Minor use from a soil!1and perspective, Preferred no change. provided that Regulation but used more for discharges & water No significant change foreseen existing regulation is sufficient as a

'backstop' to blatant resource

quality

mismanagement

Tradable rights Perhaps a slight increase; dependent on Did not support any increase; disagreed

Not used policy regarding water rights and with a market driven method of

& duties

allocation allocating water

Covenants Minor use; support & integrate with _{Q Ell} Probably no change Supported no change covenants

Management Not used; however, a non-binding

agreement is made when grants are Probably no change Supported no change

agreements

provided

Would support a slight increase, but

Education to orientated more towards educating the

assist Used Slight increase in use public, as famler education is more

often (& more effectively) facilitated

through one-to-one contact

Education for Chose not to distinguish edltcational Chose not to dlstinglllsh educational Chose not to distinguish educational pr'omoting & assistance from promotion & asslstanceji-om promotIOn & asslstanceji-om promotion &

encouraging encouragement encouragement encouragement

Table 2. 13: Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council usage of general instruments for promoting SIM.

As with most other councils covenants were used through other agencies (namely the QEII Trust). Management agreements were not used, although a fanner is required to sign a non-binding (in a legal sense) agreement when grant monies are exchanged. The interviewee did not favour binding agreements because of the associated time and cost associated with their development and processing. but acknowledged their value as a form of insurance when large grants are involved.

High overall use of one-to-one assistance is also reflected in fann visits, infonnation provision and DIY kits (Table 2. 1 4), which contrasts against the minor use of group extension methods (focus farms, field days, discussion groups, and community groups). Field days were noted as having limited success in the eastern Ma nawatulWanganui and a greater preference was e�'Pressed for integrating more with discussion groups.

CUrI"ent use Pl"Obable change in use Preferred change in use Promotional

Minor use No change, although content & quality Supported no change. In an indifferent

material will change in the future way, 'they have their place'

Fact sheets & Used. particularly in conjunction with Perhaps a slight increase as SLM issues Supports an increase, provided they

info packages farm plans (as appendices) become more specific (e.g. pugging on _{hill country cf generic pugging)} remain appropriately matched with _{actual issues}

DIY kits Used lncrease in use Supported increased use

Fann ,·isits (1 to May decrease slightly if Council policy

EX1ensively used to promote SLM orientates more toward group greed with the current degree of use

1 consultation)

approach�s (e.g. SUBS)

Focus famlS Minor use; occasionally involved in o change Supported no change MRDC monitor farms

Suggested a preference for less use in

Field days Minor use Probably no change the Drumevirke area overall. but supported SUBS type field days

Farmer discus-

Minor use Possibly a slight increase Would support a slight increase

sion groups

Llmdcare groups M inor use -Landcare groups are o change Preferred no change

supported if required

Other co m- Minor use -pest control & weed Possibly a slight increase if the Council

seeks a coordinated approach to group No preference given

munity groups control groups

pest control

Regular _{Was not indicated Was not indicated Was not given}

pu blications

Table 2. 14: Manawatu- Wanganui Regional Council usage o/extensionldeliverv methods/or promoting SUvf