The mystery that is co-governance: When words go rampant and become meaningless

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The mystery that is co-governance: When words go rampant and become meaningless

Gabrielle Baker, consultant, health equity

Gabrielle Baker

We have a dream
There appear to be multiple interpretations of co-governance on offer. Legal academics have highlighted that in Aotearoa we usually mean co-management when we talk about co-governance

The term ‘co-governance’ has been tossed around with little clear understanding of what it means. Gabrielle Baker takes a deep dive

For the past year, at least, I have had just about weekly discussions – ranging from super casual to much more robust – about this mysterious thing ca
References
  1. This sounds shady, but it is actually true
  1. Chris Findlayson: “Co-governance should be embraced not feared”, E-Tangata, 29 May 2022 (tinyurl.com/yj7tjx45)
  1. Gregory, R, Assessing ‘good governance’: ‘scientific’ measurement and political discourse. Policy Quarterly,2014;10[1]:15-25
  1. Magallanes, C. (2021). “Māori Co-governance and / or Co-management of Nature and Environmental Resources” in Joseph, R and Benton, R (eds) Waking the Taniwha, Māori Governance in the 21st Century. Thomson Reuters, New Zealand.
  1. Adapted from Dodson, G. (2014), “Co-Governance and Local Empowerment? Conservation Partnership Frameworks and Marine Protection at Mimiwhangata, New Zealand" in Society & Natural Resources: An International Journal (2014) Volume 7, Issue 25, available at www.tandfonline.com. (As quoted in Principles for effectively co-governing natural resources, Auditor General 2016).