Harmsworth, G., Barclay-Kerr, K., & Reedy, T. M.
Economic Land Planning & Design
He Puna Korero: Journal of Maori and Pacific Development, 3(2), 40-68
2002
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This paper addresses the concept of sustainable development, a term widely debated and critiqued since its rise to prominence in the latter part of the 20th century.
It explores the concept’s implications for economic and social development, economic growth, and environmental responsibility, emphasising the need for a balance that allows future generations to meet their needs without degrading the natural environment or causing economic or social decay. The abstract suggests that the concept of sustainable development has faced criticism for being ambiguous, unattainable, and frequently labeled as a part of global capitalism. However, it is seen as a challenge to balance economic, social, and cultural goals while responsibly managing the environment for future generations. Particularly notable in this study is the focus on the efforts by Māori people to achieve sustainable development. The paper discusses holistic approaches and frameworks adopted by Māori to balance economic, social, cultural, and environmental objectives, providing potentially effective models for viable sustainable development approaches. The research, conducted between 1998 and 2002 and funded by the Foundation for Research, Science, and Technology (FRST) under the “Māori Sustainable Development in Te Puku o Te Ika” program, emphasises the importance of integrating Māori values, vision, strategic planning, and information systems as a holistic framework and process method for achieving Māori sustainable development.