From community involvement to project outcomes: Insights from the Mangaia harbour adaptation project

Abstract

This paper examines the role of community engagement in influencing project outcomes, employing the Mangaia Harbour Development project in the Cook Islands as a case study. Using a qualitative methodology, data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and transect walks, complemented by participatory mapping and document analysis. The findings portray initial efforts to integrate community input, which later shifted to a one-way communication approach during construction, leading to unmet community needs and several “maladaptation losses”. Key challenges identified included inadequate consultation with key stakeholders such as fishermen and elders, limited cultural integration, and the harbour's inability to fully address climate-related risks such as king tides and storm surges. Despite these shortcomings, the project offered some adaptation benefits, including improved safety and enhanced social spaces, though these were overshadowed by issues such as economic inefficiencies and limited functional improvements. This research underscores the importance of sustained and meaningful community participation throughout project lifecycles, particularly in small island contexts where cultural and environmental considerations are critical. Policy recommendations include integrating local knowledge into planning, adopting long-term adaptive monitoring systems, and designing multi-functional infrastructure to align with economic, social, and cultural goals. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities in climate adaptation projects and offer valuable lessons for similar initiatives in the Cook Islands and other Pacific Island nations. Future research should expand to a broader range of projects and include longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts on community resilience, economic development, and environmental sustainability.