Understanding how catchment group membership influences on-farm practice and decision-making

Catchment groups in Aotearoa New Zealand have grown in popularity as a mechanism for decentralized local environmental management and collective action. Because catchment groups are a relatively new institutional mechanism, knowledge gaps remain around what motivates farmers to join catchment groups and the links between catchment group activities and on-farm practice changes that improve local ecosystem health. We seek to address these knowledge gaps to better understand what motivates farmers to join catchment groups and to analyze whether participation in farming groups influences changes to farming practices. Data collected from focus groups and interviews with farmers who participate in catchment groups in the Canterbury/Waitaha region are analyzed to provide preliminary answers to these questions. We found farmers were motivated to join and continue participating in catchment groups because these groups are trusted advisors who can help them respond to new regulation. The data also suggests that catchment group information and advice raise awareness of issues and sometimes lead to changes in farming practices. In concluding, we argue further research is needed to confirm whether catchment groups and their activities are collectively contributing to improvements in ecosystem health.