COURTNEY BENNETT
Director - Senior Advisor, Kete Planning Consultancy
Courtney Bennett (MSci(dist), BPlan(hons), Int.NZPI, BMPA) is a Christchurch-based planner who has spent most of her career working with mana whenua on environmental planning issues. She has recently completed her masters thesis on the topic of best practice mana whenua engagement practices, and was the 2019 recipient of the NZPI Lance Leikis Award. She now runs Kete Planning Consultancy, and is also working on research alongside the Geospatial Research Institute at The University of Canterbury.
Abstract
Best Practice Mana Whenua Engagement
A presentation based on the findings of the masters thesis, Ngā Kōrero o ngā Poupou o te Whare: How to improve Crown and Local Authority-initiated environmental planning engagement, from the perspectives of Ngāi Tahu environmental kaitiaki
This presentation focuses on best practice mana whenua engagement from the perspectives of Ngāi Tahu environmental kaitiaki. It is based on Courtney's recent masters research in this area and provides an academic/practitioner perspective on this topic. Firstly, this presentation aims to help planners understand how our current engagement processes can be perceived by the Māori communities we are attempting to engage with. Secondly, it relays feedback from Ngāi Tahu environmental kaitiaki on how to plan for and conduct mana whenua engagement in ways that are more culturally appropriate, and responsive to the unique pressures that come with being an environmental kaitiaki within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā. Finally, it discusses how both RM reform and the NZPI can support us, as planners, to become better at engaging with our Treaty Partners.
