
A guide to just transitions for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand
The case studies and guidance found in this document illuminates how just transitions for Māori (and planetary) wellbeing are operationalised on the ground. Investors aiming to align impact finance or more conventional capital flows with a just transition can find valuable insights in the form of both tangible examples and a visionary roadmap, demonstrating how justice is meaningful embedded in community transitions.
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OVERVIEW
The guide outlines strategies for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand to navigate disruptions while fostering fair, inclusive, and sustainable transitions. It emphasises the significance of collective efforts to address challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and social disruption. The process prioritises local leadership, respect for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and integration of Māori values.
Introduction
Transitions are transformative processes aiming to restore balance across social, economic, and environmental systems. Communities, deeply connected to their environment, play a pivotal role in leading these transitions with support from government and other stakeholders. The guide serves as a resource for locally led initiatives, drawing from real-world case studies and Māori worldviews. It highlights that transitions are both local and global, responding to external forces like climate change and geopolitical shifts. The guide is organised into five stages: foundations, connecting, planning, acting, and adapting. Communities can adapt these stages flexibly to their specific needs and contexts.
Foundations
Why we need just transitions
Addressing systemic challenges like climate change, economic disparity, and resource degradation requires fundamental changes. Collective, inclusive action is crucial for equitable solutions.
What are just transitions?
The concept emerged to balance environmental sustainability with social justice. A just transition seeks fairness, inclusiveness, and well-being, addressing past injustices and prioritising community participation.
Importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Te Tiriti guides the relationship between the Crown and Māori, emphasising sovereignty and shared responsibilities. Just transitions must address historic inequities and empower Māori communities through resourced and supported processes.
Principles from Te Ao Māori
Māori principles like whakapapa (genealogy), mauri (life force), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and manaakitanga (caring for others) provide a holistic framework. These principles ensure decisions and actions respect intergenerational equity and environmental well-being.
Connecting
Building relationships
Effective collaboration starts with understanding diverse perspectives and establishing trust. Community engagement should focus on inclusiveness and shared goals.
Developing leadership
Leadership must be distributed, inclusive, and adaptive. Effective leaders act as stewards of shared visions and values, inspired by Māori leadership models, which include roles such as rangatira (visionary leaders) and pōtiki (innovative individuals).
Facilitating and caring
Facilitation involves guiding discussions, fostering creativity, and ensuring safe spaces for participation. Caring for vulnerable groups and addressing their concerns is central to building support.
Building support
Overcoming resistance requires focusing on persuadable groups while maintaining support from committed stakeholders. Listening and addressing concerns are key strategies.
Planning
Designing transition processes
Successful transitions require inclusive decision-making, adaptive planning, and scenario-based approaches to address uncertainties.
Understanding the system
Mapping systems helps identify root causes, influential factors, and points for intervention. Historical and cultural contexts should inform planning.
Developing shared vision and values
Creating a shared vision builds trust and alignment among diverse stakeholders. Māori principles and values often serve as a foundation for collective action.
Communicating with others
Effective communication strategies ensure transparency, build support, and invite broader participation. Narratives should align with community values and goals.
Acting
Making collective decisions
Bottom-up decision-making empowers communities and fosters legitimacy. Hybrid approaches combining top-down and bottom-up methods are often effective.
Considering options
Options analysis evaluates potential scenarios, costs, and benefits. Feasibility assessments ensure chosen solutions are practical and equitable.
Designing and implementing solutions
Strategies should define goals, pathways, and roles. Action plans must be realistic, adaptable, and inclusive, focusing on both immediate wins and long-term outcomes.
Resourcing change processes
Transitions require diverse funding sources, including grants, equity, and in-kind contributions. Participatory budgeting can align resources with community priorities. The guide stresses the importance of valuing contributors and ensuring sustainable resourcing for long-term efforts.
Adapting
Being agile and adaptive
Adaptive management allows flexibility in response to uncertainties. Continuous monitoring and feedback loops ensure the process aligns with evolving goals. Leadership should embrace experimentation and iterative learning.
Monitoring progress
Monitoring frameworks track progress against defined indicators, fostering accountability and transparency. Case studies like Taranaki 2050 highlight the effective use of tools like Doughnut Economics and Living Standards Frameworks to guide monitoring.
Evaluating and improving
Evaluation processes should be systematic, inclusive, and periodic. They should ask critical questions about alignment with the vision and explore areas for improvement. Māori evaluation practices provide a culturally resonant lens for assessment.
Ending or renewing transitions
Transitions are ongoing. Communities should celebrate milestones, reflect on progress, and adapt or renew their efforts as needed.
Case studies
The guide incorporates numerous case studies, including Ngāti Manu’s māra kai initiative and Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy, which highlight successful applications of just transition principles. These examples demonstrate how communities can integrate Māori values, foster collaboration, and achieve sustainability goals.