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Preface

Photo of Hugh Logan, Secretary for the Environment.

The environment is central to New Zealand and the Kiwi way of life. Our iconic landscapes have shaped our identity as a nation, and the resources from the land, freshwater, and sea underpin our valuable primary industries. The varied urban and rural landscapes in which we live, work, and spend leisure time form an integral part of our social, cultural, and economic well-being.

This report is a summary of Environment New Zealand 2007, New Zealand’s second state of the environment report. It provides a brief overview of the pressures on, and key aspects of, the environment discussed in Environment New Zealand 2007.

Both this summary and Environment New Zealand 2007 are published at a time when there is heightened attention around the world on protecting the environment for our children and our children’s children. The risks from a changing climate, the desire to use valuable natural resources more efficiently, and the need to protect our health have all created a global momentum for environmental action.

Since the first state of the environment report in 1997, New Zealand has made significant progress in ensuring sound environmental information is available to support environmental decision-making. Both Environment New Zealand 2007 and this summary advances this work by using environmental indicators and a range of mapping tools to present an overview of key aspects of New Zealand’s environment. Both reports also highlight for decision-makers the most urgent pressures on, and challenges for, our environment.

I am very pleased to bring you Environment New Zealand 2007 – Summary. I have confidence that, in providing an overview of New Zealand’s environmental well-being, this report will help motivate New Zealanders to take action to protect and conserve their environment.

Hugh Logan

Secretary for the Environment

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