Pro-Environmental Behaviour in Relation to Kauri Dieback: When Place Attachment Is Not Enough

Abstract The iconic kauri tree of Aotearoa New Zealand is under increasing threat due to the plant disease kauri dieback, with human activity believed to be a high-risk vector for spread of the fungus-like pathogen. Although forest hygiene measures have been introduced, concern exists over shortfalls in public compliance, particularly among those who live near or in infected areas. This qualitative study takes a community case-study approach to investigate the barriers and enablers of pro-environmental behavior in relation to kauri dieback. Twenty-one members of the public residing in a locale heavily impacted by kauri dieback were interviewed. Several issues that may lead to noncompliance with measures to protect kauri were identified, primarily centered around themes related to system knowledge, certainty and trust. Understanding community social dynamics, as well as cultivating and maintaining public trust in scientific and resource management authorities, is an important element for generating and improving pro-environmental behavior when uncertainty is high.