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Our statutory functions

The Environment Act 1986 defines 'environment' widely to include ecosystems, people and communities, and natural and physical resources. The functions of the Ministry for the Environment as set out in this Act 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

The Ministry for the Environment is responsible for administering the following laws, including amendments and regulations under these laws:

  • 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
  • Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2004
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