Environmental stewardship for a prosperous New Zealand

Our mission

Environmental stewardship for a prosperous New Zealand Tiakina te Taiao kia tōnui a Aotearoa.

Outcomes

• New Zealand is able to capitalise on its natural environmental advantages now and in the future (End outcome 1)
• New Zealand’s air, water, land and built communities are healthy (End outcome 2)
• New Zealand’s natural resources are managed effectively and New Zealanders use natural resources sustainably (End outcome 3)
• Risks to people, the economy and the environment from pollution, contamination and other environmental hazards are minimised (End outcome 4)

Intermediate outcomes

• New Zealanders increasingly commit to, and benefit from, the sustainable development and use of natural and physical resources (Intermediate Outcome 1)
• New Zealanders, their communities and environment are prepared for, and adapt to, the impacts of changing environmental conditions (Intermediate Outcome 2)
• Decisions on the management and use of natural and physical resources are guided by appropriate and effective legislation, regulations, policies, strategies, guidelines and advice (Intermediate Outcome 3)
• New Zealanders have better knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and risks that arise from the use and management of natural and physical resources (Intermediate Outcome 4)

Impacts of work programmes

Environmental stewardship

Atmosphere

• New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions meet international agreements in an economically efficient and environmentally effective way
• Appropriate recognition of New Zealand’s interests in negotiations on future climate change action

Land and fresh water

• Water quality, levels and flows that provide for healthy ecosystems and optimise New Zealand’s social, cultural and economic well-being
• New Zealanders have credible decision-making processes for fresh water, having regard for all competing values of water
• Healthy and productive soils, with contamination avoided or mitigated, and erosion by human activities minimised

Marine environment

• Appropriate statutory frameworks and better integrated policy and legislation for the marine environment

Changing environment

• Increased community and infrastructure resilience to climate change and weather-related natural hazards

A prosperous New Zealand

Maximising advantage

• Increased financial return for New Zealand from a tourism industry that protects and restores the environment
• New Zealand  develops an international reputation as a host of world-class, environmentally responsible major events, including Rugby World Cup 2011
• Increased cooperation with partner countries on environmental priorities in free trade agreements

Environmental hazards

• Contaminated sites are cleaned up or managed appropriately
• The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act operates effectively
• The use of ozone-depleting substances decreases
• Information-keeping on the generation and treatment/safe disposal of hazardous waste is improved

Sustainability in the built environment

• Resource efficiency, including more efficient use, reuse and recycling of materials
• A reduction in the disposal of waste

Underpinning support

Environmental governance

• The Resource Management Act provides effectively for environmental and socio-economic outcomes and allocating natural resources
• Improved resource allocation in the coastal marine area
• The Crown-Māori relationship under the Treaty of Waitangi is better reflected in policy and management arrangements

Evidence base

• Environmental policy is evidence-based, using quantitative environmental information, and incorporates social and economic perspectives.
• National and international reporting requirements are met

Business support

Corporate core