• DOI:10.1080/14486563.2003.10648585
• Corpus ID: 153431463

Indigenous Rights to Natural Resources in Australia and New Zealand: Kereru, Dugong and Pounamu

@article{Gibbs2003IndigenousRT,
  title={Indigenous Rights to Natural Resources in Australia and New Zealand: Kereru, Dugong and Pounamu},
  author={Meredith Gibbs},
  journal={Australasian Journal of Environmental Management},
  year={2003},
  volume={10},
  pages={138 - 151}
}

• M. Gibbs
• Published 1 January 2003
• Political Science
• Australasian Journal of Environmental Management

Indigenous peoples' claims to use and manage natural resources have caused controversy in recent times. One notable example is the current debate surrounding the claims by indigenous groups to harvest, as of right, wildlife and other culturally important resources. Here some contemporary manifestations of indigenous rights to use and manage resources are examined taking three examples from Australia and New Zealand: kereru, dugong and pounamu. The case studies reveal a spectrum of contemporary manifestation of indigenous rights to natural resources ranging from a lack of legal rights to self-determination over culturally important resources. The case studies highlight sites of commonality and conflict between governments and indigenous peoples, and between conservationists and indigenous peoples, in the context of sustainable management decision-making. Following an examination of the factors that influence the extent of contemporary recognition of indigenous rights, it is argued that current reconciliation processes in both Australia and New Zealand offer opportunities for increased indigenous involvement in environmental management.