To generate relevant and accessible knowledge that can be incorporated into stakeholders' decision-making processes, the first Climate Change Impacts and Implications program Communities of Practice (CoP) brings together key stakeholders from primary production, agri-business, conservation, community and local government to consider climate change impacts and implications for a low-lying coastal region, in eastern New Zealand. It is organized around a case-study that will be modelling biophysical processes on estuarine and riverine environments.

The way in which modellers, stakeholders and researchers facilitated a structured conversation about climate change impacts and implications for the case-study area are presented. The first meeting of the CoP took place prior to any modelling. It sought to identify synergies or points of intersection between what the scientists were able to model and the implications of greatest concern to stakeholders. Large-format aerial photographs were used to geographically anchor the discussion and provided stakeholders an opportunity to identify specific areas or objects of value.  Potential impacts on salt marsh and mangrove communities, infrastructure and settlements, waterlogging, salt-water intrusion, changing flood risk and land-use were discussed.  As a result, the modelling teams acquired a more integrated and comprehensive appreciation of what stakeholders valued and accordingly modelling activities will be modified. Overall, stakeholders were extremely interested in continuing to develop the CoP because of its learning opportunities, as a pathway to influence research outcomes and interact with peers representing different perspectives.