Māori have expressed a desire to be involved in freshwater management in a way that reflects their values. This remains a challenge both for Māori communities and government agencies. Māori groups wanting to work with government on freshwater management often do not have the capacity to access the wide range of processes, structures and tools available to them.

This research reviewed international and local best practice models of freshwater management partnerships and provided guidance to the Ngāti Hori of the East Cost on their local stream.

This initial scoping project was completed in 2009, and Dr Barcham went onto gain further funding from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology due to the NPM grant. Dr Barcham worked with the Ngāti Hori to create a management plan for Te Karamu Stream, and this extended to three other marae. He says the Department of Conservation now go to the hapu for advice on similar projects.