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May 2020This document provides a summary of the submissions received on the discussion document and at consultation events. Read more -
October 2019This report updates indices for coastal and ocean extreme waves previously developed to quantify the occurrence of extreme wave events in New Zealand on an annual basis. Read more -
October 2019This report provides new coastal chlorophyll-a and sea-surface temperature analyses within New Zealand’s territorial waters. Read more -
October 2019This report updates previously published data (2015) on coastal sea-surface temperature from 11 sites around New Zealand. Read more -
October 2019This report updates indicators for non-indigenous species with new data compiled since 2016. Read more -
October 2019This report updates previously published statistics on mean sea-level series and trends at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, New Plymouth and Moturiki (Mount Maunganui) to the end of 2018. Read more -
September 2019This report prepared by MRCagney informs work on understanding and measuring the wider costs and benefits of urban development under the Urban Growth Agenda. Read more -
August 2019The Government is consulting on a proposal for a new National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD). The NPS-UD will provide clear direction to local government about how to enable opportunities for development in New Zealand’s urban areas. Read more -
August 2019This Beca report presents a review and analysis of the main urban zoning provisions within district plans for selected ‘high-growth’ councils. Read more -
August 2019This document provides an ‘at a glance’ summary of the Government’s consultation on a proposal for a new National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD). Read more -
April 2019This report updates the state and trends of water quality of coastal and estuarine waters for physico-chemical (eg, pH), optical (eg clarity), nutrients (eg, nitrates), and microbiological parameters (eg, enterococci). Read more -
February 2019This review was carried out to improve understanding of marine habitats in New Zealand. Read more -
July 2018In 2017, the Government strengthened the regulatory framework for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas structures and pipelines in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes a new requirement for operators to provide a decommissioning plan before applying for a decommissioning-related marine consent. Read more -
December 2017This research identifies international and domestic trends and best practice for urban growth management strategies and recommends what guidance could be developed for councils to assist them to meet policies PC12, PC13 and PC14 of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. Read more -
August 2017The Government is considering how best to manage the deposit of jettisoned material from space launch vehicles in the wider EEZ and extended continental shelf and is seeking feedback on its proposed regulation. Read more -
August 2017This report assesses the environmental risks to the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf of threats arising from jettisoned material from space launch vehicles. Read more -
October 2016This document provides a summary of submissions on the public consultation to the Proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. Read more -
October 2016A comprehensive draft version of this report informed evidence and monitoring policies in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity 2016 (NPS-UDC) and the implementation programme. It has assisted in determining which indicators would best provide useful information, and what monitoring would be practical in terms of data availability, frequency, capabilities and costs. Read more -
August 2016The Government is considering how best to manage space vehicle launches and is seeking feedback on its proposed regulation. Read more -
August 2016This report assesses the environmental risks to the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf of threats arising from jettisoned material from space launch vehicles. Read more -
July 2016This report provides information about the way nine ‘high growth’ councils in New Zealand estimate demand for housing and business land, and how they measure the development capacity available to meet that demand. Read more -
June 2016This document explains how the proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity has been developed; the objectives, policies and key themes; and how to give your feedback on the proposal. Read more -
June 2016Report on submissions from the first phase of consultation (held from 3 December 2015 to 5 February 2016) on the case for a national policy statement on urban development. Read more -
June 2016This report presents the findings of research into the sufficient supply of business land in urban areas experiencing the highest population growth in New Zealand. Where issues where identified the research looked at whether the proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity would address those issues. Read more -
June 2016This paper looks at planning practices for providing development capacity for housing and business needs in the United Kingdom (UK) and two Australian states, Victoria and New South Wales. Read more -
January 2016This consultation document sets out the Government’s proposal for a new approach to marine protection in New Zealand. The submission period has now closed. Read more -
January 2016New Zealand's submission to the International Seabed Authority to support the development of a regulatory framework for the exploitation of seabed minerals. Read more -
March 2014This document summarises the submissions received on the exposure draft of regulations for exploration drilling for oil and gas under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 and presents the main issues and themes raised. Read more -
February 2014This NIWA report is a risk-based assessment of the spectrum of environmental effects of discharging tailings and sediments from the prospecting and exploration stages of mineral mining operations into the marine environment, considering all aspects of risk to the marine environment. Read more -
February 2014In 2014, the Government sought feedback on an exposure draft of the EEZ and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects—Discharge and Dumping) Regulations 2014. This supporting information explains the exposure draft process, details the proposals, and how to make a submission. Read more -
December 2013This document summarises the submissions received on the Activity Classifications under the EEZ Act discussion document and presents the main issues and themes raised. Read more -
December 2013In 2013, the Government sought feedback on an exposure draft of the proposed exploratory drilling for oil and gas regulations under the EEZ Act. This document provided supporting information for the consultation. Consultation closed 31 January 2014. Read more -
August 2013This discussion document sought feedback on the Government’s proposals for regulating exploratory drilling for oil and gas, discharges of harmful substances, and dumping of waste in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Submissions closed on 25 September 2013. Read more -
April 2013This report develops definitions for biogenic (biologically formed) and geological environments identified as sensitive by National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Ministry. Read more -
July 2012This is an independent review of sections 6 and 7 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and other sections related to natural hazards. Read more -
May 2012This discussion document sought feedback on proposed regulations for managing the environmental effects in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf. Submissions on the discussion document have now closed. Read more -
May 2012This independent report prepared for the Ministry by NIWA lists the known possible activities in the EEZ and describes their likely risk to the environment. It also recommends how activities could be classified under the proposed regulatory framework. Read more -
January 2012This case study provides an insight into how developers and councils undertook the design and consent process for a medium-density housing development in Auckland, and how the occupants perceive the development. Read more -
January 2012This case study provides an insight into how developers and councils undertook the design and consent process for a medium-density housing development in Christchurch, and how the occupants perceive the development. Read more -
January 2012This case study provides an insight into how developers and councils undertook the design and consent process for a medium-density housing development in Wellington, and how the occupants perceive the development. Read more -
January 2012Assessment methodology developed to provide a robust urban design rating system for medium-density housing developments that can be used for different building typologies. Read more -
October 2010This discussion document presents options for improving New Zealand’s resource management regulations and processes. Submissions closed 17 December 2010. Read more -
August 2010This report contains the findings of a survey of local authority urban design panels. The Ministry undertook the survey to gain a nationwide picture of these panels including how many panels there are and the processes they use, and to canvass views on their effectiveness. Read more -
July 2010Report of the Minister for the Environment's Urban Technical Advisory Group. Read more -
March 2010This report provides a stock take of the Urban Design Protocol and is part of a wider evaluation of the Protocol and its signatory action plans. It will help the Ministry evaluate and determine the future direction of the programme. Read more -
March 2010This report provides an outline of the methodology and analysis used for the stock take of the Urban Design Protocol and action plan monitoring. It accompanies the main report (Taking Stock of the Urban Design Protocol and Action Plan monitoring). Read more -
November 2009In 2008, the Ministry engaged MWH New Zealand Ltd to investigate the nature and extent of urban design related provisions in local authority plans and policy statements prepared under the Resource Management Act. This report presents the detailed findings of that research. Read more -
November 2009In 2008, the Ministry engaged MWH New Zealand Ltd to investigate the nature and extent of urban design related provisions in local authority plans and policy statements prepared under the Resource Management Act. This report presents a summary of that research. Read more -
August 2008In August 2008, the Ministry for the Environment sought views on the scope of a National Policy Statement on Urban Design. This background paper was prepared to guide feedback on scope. Read more -
May 2008This second volume of case studies provides examples of ways local government can incorporate quality urban design in strategies, plans and guidelines. It also includes examples of best practice development projects from throughout New Zealand. Read more