Archived publication

This publication is no longer current or has been superseded.

Our statutory functions

The functions of the Ministry for the Environment, as set out in the Environment Act (1986), are:

  • to advise the Minister on:
    • management policies for natural and physical resources and ecosystems to meet the objectives of the Environment Act (1986)
    • significant environmental impacts of public or private sector proposals, particularly those that are inadequately covered by existing legislative or other environmental assessment requirements
    • ensuring that effective provision is made for public participation in environmental planning and policy formulation, particularly at the regional and local level
  • to obtain information, and to conduct and supervise research, so it may advise the Government on environmental policies
  • to provide the Government, its agencies and other public authorities with advice on:
    • the application, operation and effectiveness of the Acts specified in the Schedule to the Environment Act (1986), in relation to the achievement of the Act’s objectives
    • procedures for assessing and monitoring environmental impacts
    • pollution control and coordinating the management of pollutants in the environment
    • the identification and likelihood of natural hazards and reducing the effects of natural hazards
    • the control of hazardous substances, including managing the manufacture, storage, transport and disposal of hazardous substances
  • to facilitate and encourage the resolution of conflict in relation to policies and proposals that may affect the environment
  • to provide and disseminate information and services to promote environmental policies, including environmental education and effective public participation in environmental planning
  • to provide advice on matters relating to the environment
  • to carry out functions specified under any other enactment (this includes the Ministry’s functions under the Resource Management Act (RMA)).

Legislation administered by the Ministry for the Environment

  • Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act (1941)
  • Environment Act (1986)
  • Resource Management Act (1991)*
  • Ozone Layer Protection Act (1996)*
  • Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996)*
  • The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (2000)
  • Climate Change Response Act (2002)*
  • Aquaculture Reform (Repeals and Transitional Provisions) Act (2004)

[The Ministry also has specific functions under those Acts marked by an asterisk.]

[ | ]