Marsden (RSNZ) "Bad nature": The social dimensions of invasive species in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This research explores the social history, cultural values and socially dynamic nature of invasive species in Aoraki NZ. The research will explore how key local communities and groups (e.g. Māori runaka or whanau members, hunters, landowners, anglers, tourists) assign values to invasive species and what those values are. Furthermore the project explores the beliefs associated with invasive species held by under-represented groups in existing research (specifically Māori, Pasifika, recent migrants, youth). 2 PhD candidates (Claire Dowsett and Mattias Spall, a Master's candidate (to be advised) and an RA (Anna Clarke) are on the team with AI Associate Professor Anna Carr and PI Professor Brent Lovelock.