In order to analyse the policy issue at hand, an understanding of what sustainable development means is important. In Our Common Future, the World Commission on Environment and Development define sustainable development as: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.[1] In some aspects this is in line with the principle of kaitiakitanga that has been used by Maori kin groups for centuries to manage the natural resources in their different regions.
In the Brundtland report, as Our Common Future is otherwise referred to, Odd Grann stated that one of the common causes of environmental stress is the destruction of vegetation in order to get land, food, fuel or timber. Grann states that when it rains a “surface runoff” is created which results in the soil eroding making it impossible to produce enough food, fuel or timber. People therefore turn to new land and start the process over again and ruin more soil.[2] Although this may not happen very often in New Zealand because of regulations, it is important to know what may happen if regulations such as the RMA were not in place.
[1] WCED, Our Common Future, 1987.
[2] Odd Grann, in Our Common Future, as reported to the WECD in June 1985. Available at: http://www.un-documents.net/ocf-01.htm