Ministry for the Environment New Zealand

We work to achieve good environmental leadership and decision making at all levels so that we can deliver the environment that New Zealanders expect and deserve.

On this website you can find out about issues that affect the environment, environmental laws and treaties and environmental reporting. There's also information on what you can do for the environment, copies of our publications and information about our organisation.

Interested in working at the Ministry, see our job vacancies.

Latest news from the Ministry

New Zealand's 2020 Emissions Target

The New Zealand Government is working actively to secure an effective global agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. In August, as part of the United Nations climate change negotiations, the Government will state its policy on a 2020 emissions target policy and is inviting public input. [3 July 2009]

Re-Release of Environmental Databases

On 1 July 2009, the Ministry for the Environment made the Land Cover Database and Land Environments New Zealand classification available online, for free and with an unrestricted Creative Commons licence. The new licence will allow the public to freely share and distribute environmental data and information without having to ask for permission if they want to use the data in different ways. The Land Cover Database and Land Environments New Zealand are now available online at http://www.koordinates.com. [1 July 2009]

Water quality in dairy farming catchments

A new report released today establishes the water quality in catchments around New Zealand mainly used for dairy farming. It sets a baseline against which future changes related to dairy management practices can be measured. Results of the report indicate that water quality is generally degraded in the catchments. [1 July 2009]

Water quality at freshwater swimming spots

A web update is now available outlining bacterial water quality data for about 300 rivers and lakes over the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 summers. The data is reported against a health-based guideline used to determine whether a site is safe for recreational water use. [1 July 2009]

Council progress in implementing air quality standards

The Ministry has prepared a report on regional council performance in implementing the national environmental standards for air quality, to highlight and promote best air quality management practice. This progress report provides useful information to feed into the Minister's review of the regulations announced on the 10th June. [1 July 2009]

Environmental Indicators Quarterly - Issue 4

Welcome to the Autumn 2009 issue of Environmental Indicators Quarterly, the Ministry for the Environment’s e-newsletter linking you to information on what’s happening in the realm of environmental reporting. [19 June 2009]

Resource Management Act: Two-yearly Survey of Local Authorities 2007/2008

This report examines local authority implementation of the Resource Management Act (RMA) from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008. Key aspects surveyed are consent application processing, timeliness, charges, monitoring, enforcement and complaints, good practice, Māori participation, and plan changes and variations. [11 June 2009]

Review of the national environmental standards for air quality

On 10th June 2009, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced a review of the national environmental standards for air quality. For further information on the review please refer to the review of the national environmental standards for air quality. [10 June 2009]

River water quality trends report released

As part of its National Environmental Reporting Programme, the Ministry regularly commissions new national-scale environmental data and analysis. A new technical report: Water quality trends at National River Water Quality Monitoring Network sites, is now available online. [9 June 2009]

New report released on trends in freshwater fish communities

As part of its National Environmental Reporting Programme, the Ministry regularly commissions new national-scale environmental data and analysis. A new technical report is now available for fish communities in rivers: Temporal and land-use trends in freshwater fish communities in New Zealand. [9 June 2009]

Fresh Water Reform Process Announced

On 8 June 2009, the Government announced its new strategy New Start for Fresh Water. It outlines the Government’s new direction for water management in New Zealand and sets out some of the choices we face and the implications of those choices. A subsequent paper will outline a programme of work to run until 2011 and beyond. [8 June 2009]

Draft users guide for sources of drinking water standard

The "Draft Users’ Guide: National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water" is now available. [2 June 2009]

Calculation and Payment of the Waste Disposal Levy: Guidance for Waste Disposal Facility Operators

This guide is intended to help waste disposal facility operators meet their obligations under Part 3 of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Waste Minimisation (Calculation and Payment of Waste Disposal Levy) Regulations 2009. The guide gives practical advice and guidance. It includes examples of how to calculate the tonnage of waste the levy must be paid on, submit the returns, and make payments to the levy collector. [2 June 2009]

Draft Report and Decision on Transpower's Upper North Island Grid Upgrade Proposal

The Board of Inquiry has released its Draft Report and Decision on Transpower’s Upper North Island Grid Upgrade Proposal. A full copy of the draft report and decision is available on the Board's web pages. [27 May 2009]

Update on the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management

The Board of Inquiry hearing on the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management is expected to begin on 30 June 2009. More information is available on the Board web pages, including hearing procedures and a summary of submissions. [25 May 2009]

Resource Management Reform Phase II

The Minister for the Environment has outlined the package of work being scoped for the next phase of resource management reform. This scoping work will involve considerable collaboration and investigation and touches on many different areas of resource management such as: aligning various legislation, aquaculture legislation reform, urban development, water and generic RMA amendments. [22 May 2009]

New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990–2007

The New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990–2007 is an inventory of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions and removals. This publication is required under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. The inventory is also a key element in the Ministry for the Environment’s reporting on the state of the environment. [11 May 2009]

Board hearing has begun on renewable electricity national policy statement

An independent Board of Inquiry has begun hearing public submissions on the proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation. The hearing will take place in a number of locations through New Zealand and is likely to end in July this year. [11 May 2009]

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