Accounting for account-abilities: Examining the relationships between farm nutrient measurement and collaborative water governance dynamics in Canterbury, New Zealand. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hale, James; Legun, Katharine; Campbell, Hugh
• Is Part Of: Journal of rural studies. Volume 92(2022)
• Page Start: 451
• Page End: 461
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Accountability -- Agri-environmental governance -- Collaboration -- Metrologies -- Participatory; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Country life -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; Land use, Rural -- Planning -- Periodicals; Rural conditions -- Periodicals; Sociologie rurale -- Périodiques; Vie rurale -- Périodiques; Développement rural -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation agricole du -- Planification -- Périodiques; Conditions rurales -- Périodiques; Country life; Land use, Rural -- Planning; Rural conditions; Rural development; Sociology, Rural; Periodicals; 307.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2019.07.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-0167

Abstract

Abstract: Water quality has become a significant concern for the New Zealand public. The source of its decline in recent years has been largely attributed to the expansion of the dairying industry, and its improvement, a focal point of environmental management. A collaborative model has been developed in the Canterbury region, where committees have been created including government representatives, water management experts, farmers, and non-farming community members. These committees develop water management plans in a water catchment and can be seen to embody a form of socialising accountability where different groups hold each other accountable and share responsibility. One feature of the plans is the establishment of nitrogen loss thresholds for farms in a catchment, implemented through a highly technical form of nutrient modelling. Drawing from interviews and observations in Canterbury water governance networks, we argue that there is a tension between collaborative forms of environmental governance that seeks to socialise accountability, and nutrient modelling that de-socialise accountability in practice. We discuss how these tensions may challenge participatory forms of governance. Highlights: Develops an analytic approach to examine processes of accountability and legitimation in governance practice. Argues there is a tension between collaborative governance that socialises accountability, and modelling that de-socialises accountability. Discusses tensions between individualising processes of accountability and collectivising forms of governance.