| Abstract: | Summary Data from the interviews discussed in this paper, along with other interview data from over 150 respondents at Hamilton Lake,
Karapiro Lake and the Waikato River, are documented and discussed in Happs (1986). Overall results suggest that groups such
as “residents”, “active users” and “passive users” provided varying, and often unpredictable responses to questions concerning
water appearance and quality. The influence of media reports, anecdotes and personal bias was evident in many responses with
prior “knowledge” and attitudes mediating in decision-making. It seems likely that the whole question of public perception
and understanding of environmental phenomena is a complex issue which cannot be reduced to the identification of single variables
which determine human response. Rather, a web of interrelated factors may lead to a subjective construction of understanding
about water quality. Impartiality and the consideration of available evidence should be important elements in reaching conclusions
about water quality. This investigation had led to results which suggest that many members of the public might have difficulty
in arriving at objective conclusions about the appearance and quality of water-bodies. |
