Indigenous peoples’ attitudes and social acceptability of invasive species control in New Zealand
Biodiversity Conservation, BRB
Available Online
Balanovic, Jovana
,
Black, Amanda
,
Garner, Gary
,
MacDonald, Edith
,
Mark-Shadbolt, Melanie
,
Mercier, Ocean
,
Wright, Janine
2021
In Aotearoa New Zealand, a significant threat to biodiversity, conservation efforts and Indigenous cultural identity is the unwanted introduction of invasive pests, plants and pathogens. Currently methods to control invasive species in Aotearoa New Zealand, in particular mammalian pests (i.e. possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)) have had decreasing public support. This has likely come about for a number of reasons, including lack of social engagement and concerns over impacts combined with an increasing distrust of top-down initiatives. Aims and methods. We analysed opinions towards existing and emerging technologies to manage invasive species. Data were obtained from 1015 respondents who identified as Indigenous Maor ¯ i from a national survey of 8199 respondents. Utilising psychological frameworks to investigate underlying beliefs of social acceptance, we analysed the responses using exploratory and latent class analysis methods to summarise the main perspectives.
