Freshwater science–policy interactions in Aotearoa-New Zealand: lessons from the past and recommendations for the future

ABSTRACT Freshwater ecosystem health is a matter of long-standing concern in Aotearoa-New Zealand. This concern is warranted, based on evidence of a century of ecological degradation. The national government responded with a series of freshwater policies starting in the 1940s, and environmental scientists have contributed to each successive policy. However, the science–policy interface in Aotearoa-New Zealand has often functioned poorly, due to science output with low policy relevance, long lag times (policy development lagging behind science advances, and vice versa) poor communications and other problems. The consequences have included continued degradation in the absence of appropriate regulation, and limited policy implementation due to inadequate scientific knowledge. In this paper, we address the challenges of freshwater science–policy interactions in in Aotearoa-New Zealand in three steps. First, we characterise effective and ineffective freshwater science–policy interactions over their 80-year history. Second, we recommend approaches for implementing the newest policy package, the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. Third, we set out five imperatives to improve policy development in the future: inclusiveness, partnership with Māori, strategic planning, a funding mandate, and an authorising agency.