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5.  The Research Results

Section 5.1 to 5.10 present the results of the online survey that was undertaken among a quantitative sample of 254 participants/users of the Environment New Zealand 2007 Report.

Section 5.11 provides an overview of the opinions expressed by the 12 stakeholders who participated in the focus group discussions.

5.1. The main purpose of using the Environment New Zealand 2007 report

The results of the online survey indicate that the Environment New Zealand 2007 Report is read/used for a variety of purposes.  That is:

Main purpose of reading/using the report (n=254) %
For use in my work 46
Personal reading 25
Research 19
Other uses 9
Not specified 1
Total respondents 100%

Respondents who indicated that they use the report for the purpose of their work, mentioned a vast range of specific applications.  However, to summarise, it has been used for background information and/or as a reference document for:

  • Monitoring trends
  • Keeping up-to-date with trends/what policy makers are thinking
  • Cross-linking/cross-referencing to other reports/work (e.g. in Regional/District Councils)
  • Use in specific sectors (e.g. regional development/management, tourism, fisheries, rivers and streams, air quality, heritage)
  • Research purposes generally
  • Obtaining a national overview/awareness of the main pressures on the environment and/or the current state of the environment
  • Developing environmental indicators at regional level
  • Educating students/helping teachers understand the environment and sustainability issues
  • Preparing a submission/advocating for the environment
  • Environmental consultancy
  • Media use (e.g. background to articles, input for producing a television programme)
  • Preparing a talk/discussion/lecture
  • Farm management/direction
  • And various other specific uses

The 9% of respondents who mentioned ‘other uses’ also indicated a range of applications of the report.  However, ‘education/study’ and ‘working with voluntary groups’ featured prominently.

5.2.  Sections of the report to which readers have referred

The structure of the Environment New Zealand 2007 Report was listed.  It identified fourteen sections and chapter sections, which people might read or use.

Respondents indicated that, on average, they had read or referred to 6.8 different sections or chapter sections, which is approximately half those listed.

 

Report Sections %
Message from the Minister 40
Preface 37
Acknowledgements 24
Main Table of Contents 60
‘About this report’ section 49
Chapters:
  • Chapter Table of Contents
 48
  • ‘At a glance’ summary section
 80
  • ‘Introduction’ section
 50
  • ‘National Environmental Indicators’ section
 77
  • ‘State and  Trends’ section
 74
  • ‘Changes since 1997’ section
 72
  • References
 32
  • (Any chapter section)
 (98%)
Glossary 15
Index 19
Average number of report sections read or referred to 6.8

The chapter sections that have received the highest level of readership are the:

  • ‘At a glance’ summary section
  • ‘National Environmental Indicators’ section
  • ‘State and Trends’ section
  • ‘Changes since 1997’ section.

5.3.  Frequency of Use

Respondents were asked:  “When using the report, how frequently do you refer to each of the following chapters?”>

The following results indicate that each of the twelve chapters has been read or referred to by somewhere between 73% and 87% of respondents (i.e. the total sample less those registering ‘not at all’).

 

Frequency of using specific chapters (n=254)  Not at all
%		 Sometimes
%		 Usually
%		 Always
%		 Total
%

Section 1:  Setting the Context
Chapter 1: Environmental reporting 20 56 19 5 100
Chapter 2: Our environment and people 20 56 19 5 100

Section 2: Pressures on the Environment
Chapter 3: Household consumption 24 43 27 6 100
Chapter 4: Transport 25 50 18 7 100
Chapter 5: Energy 19 44 28 9 100
Chapter 6: Waste 21 48 21 10 100

Section 3:  State of the Environment
Chapter 7: Air 22 38 26 14 100
Chapter 8: Atmosphere 27 42 20 11 100
Chapter 9: Land 13 37 24 26 100
Chapter 10: Freshwater 14 32 28 26 100
Chapter 11: Oceans 27 44 16 13 100
Chapter 12: Biodiversity 22 35 24 19 100

All chapters appear to have a substantial level of readership, with a mix of both frequent and occasional users.

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