Publication Search
Search below then narrow your results using the options on the left.
-
December 2020This guide provides information on how to submit expressions of interest to the Freshwater Improvement Fund. Read more -
October 2020Read the summary of recommendations and the Minister for the Environment’s decisions on amendments to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 report here. Read more -
September 2020This document provides detailed technical guidance about the new freshwater planning process (FPP) introduced by the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020. Read more -
August 2020The Wetland Delineation Protocols give a robust method for delineating wetlands based on the United States delineation system. Read more -
August 2020The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 requires councils to manage periphyton in rivers as a compulsory attribute to achieve the value ecosystem health. Read more -
August 2020This factsheet provides information on the consenting-related changes made through the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020. Read more -
August 2020The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 sets out the objectives and policies for freshwater management under the Resource Management Act 1991. Read more -
December 2019This guide provides information for people who import, manufacture, or sell products covered by New Zealand’s Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS). Read more -
December 2018This guide provides practical considerations, principles and methods to help regional council staff identify, assess, communicate and manage uncertainty in freshwater management. It may also be useful for iwi and hapū or community participants in regional freshwater planning processes to better understand these issues. Read more -
October 2018This document describes a framework for assessing the biophysical ecosystem health of fresh water in Aotearoa New Zealand. Read more -
August 2018These guidelines provide water managers with tools and guidance to assess, manage and monitor the water quality. They complement the existing National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (Freshwater NPS) which is the main direction to local government about how to manage fresh water in New Zealand. Read more -
August 2018This technical guidance will help councils with the process set out in the Periphyton Attribute Note in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (as amended 2017). Read more -
March 2018This guide provides information about the attributes in Appendix 2 of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (as amended 2017). Read more -
March 2018This guide provides information about setting limits under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (as amended 2017). Read more -
December 2017This guide provides information about the policy intent and requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. Read more -
December 2017This guide provides information about the monitoring requirements in Part CB of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (as amended 2017). Read more -
December 2017This guide explains how the national swimming targets will be achieved, what contribution regional targets will make, and the monitoring requirements for E. coli. Read more -
November 2016This guide outlines good practice recommendations for assessing air quality in New Zealand, mainly for the purpose of resource consent applications. It provides a practical and reasonable approach to managing discharges to air from industry. Read more -
November 2016This guide provides information on how to assess and manage dust emissions from sources such as quarrying, aggregate crushing, abrasive blasting, sealed and unsealed surfaces, and material stockpiles. Read more -
November 2016This guide outlines good practice in assessing and managing odours that cause offensive and objectionable effects in New Zealand. Read more -
September 2016This draft revised guideline has been released to assist understanding of the proposed amendments to the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health. The final revised guideline will be gazetted in early 2017. Read more -
September 2016This draft revised guideline has been released to assist understanding of the proposed amendments to the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health. The final revised guideline will be gazetted in early 2017. Read more -
June 2016This document provides guidance to council staff on identifying freshwater management units as required under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Read more -
February 2016This document provides information about the Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund (CSRF) and guidance for completing an application for funding for a contaminated site investigation and/or remediation project. Read more -
November 2015This guide outlines the obligations of territorial authorities under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 and describes some impacts the NPS-FM may have on councils. Read more -
September 2015This guidance, collaboratively written by regional council and Ministry for the Environment staff, steps the reader through the establishment, running and winding up of an effective collaboration group. Read more -
September 2015This guide will help regional and unitary councils implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management requirement to establish freshwater accounting systems for water quantity and quality. Read more -
January 2015This report describes tools that may be useful for regional councils and communities to identify and compare values as they go through planning processes and implement the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Read more -
June 2013Recreational water quality assessment software user’s guide. Read more -
August 2012This report identifies and recommends national freshwater monitoring protocols for core river water quality, river bio-monitoring and lake monitoring variables. Regional council protocols and quality assurance methods are described. Read more -
June 2012This leaflet provides information for landowners and developers who are considering subdividing or changing the use of their land. Read more -
April 2012This users’ guide explains the regulations and provides guidance to territorial and unitary authorities on implementing the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health. Read more -
October 2011This checklist should be included as a cover sheet for all contaminated site investigations. The checklist is taken from the Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No.1 – Reporting on Contaminated Sites in New Zealand (Revised 2011). Read more -
September 2011The 2011 Users’ Guide to the revised National Environmental Standards for Air Quality explains the regulations (including the 2011 amendments) and how they should be implemented. The guide was updated in 2014 to provide guidance on the offsetting provision and exceptional circumstances. Read more -
August 2011The National Air Quality Compliance Strategy sets out the practices regional councils could adopt to meet the air quality standard for PM₁₀ (particulate matter less than 10 micrometres) and thereby deliver clean healthy air for all New Zealanders. Read more -
April 2011This guideline has been developed through a partnership between the Ministry for the Environment, regional councils and unitary authorities to ensure consistency in the reporting on contaminated sites. Read more -
March 2011This New Zealand Domestic Solid Fuel Burner Authorisation Manual provides details of the national authorisation procedures required for the sale of compliant domestic solid fuel burning appliances. Read more -
October 2010Information on the Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of Water Takes) Regulations 2010 including information on the benefits of measuring your water take, who the regulations apply to, measuring and reporting requirements, and how the regulations work. Read more -
December 2009These guidelines provide advice on how public health risk associated with cyanobacteria in recreational waters can be managed. Read more -
October 2009The Land Monitoring Forum has compiled this guide to help regional council staff undertaking land monitoring. Read more -
April 2009This document provides best practice guidance on ambient (outdoor) air quality monitoring and data management in New Zealand. Read more -
June 2008This Good Practice Guide for Assessing Discharges to Air from Land Transport provides comprehensive guidance on how to consider air quality impacts from transport development. Read more -
June 2008This guide providez regional councils and consent applicants with sufficient knowledge about treatment processes and sources of contaminants to enable them to implement and comply with the National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water. Read more -
June 2007This plain English brochure contains information about PM10 air pollution and how it is monitored, and the national environment standards for air quality. Read more -
May 2007This material is incorporated by reference in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. Read more -
November 2006This guideline was developed to help local authorities address the potential risks from contaminated sheep-dip sites. It provides best practice advice on identifying potentially contaminated sheep-dip sites, and determining the acceptable level of contamination for various land uses. Read more -
August 2006These guidelines provide guidance to help local authorities manage information about sites associated with hazardous substances and provide the best available information to landowners, property buyers, and other interested parties. Read more -
February 2006The Cultural Health Index is a tool that Māori can use to assess and manage waterways in their area. This guide explains how to apply to Cultural Health Index from selecting sites and setting up a monitoring team, to calculating the index scores for the sites. Read more -
October 2005In 2005, changes to the tax laws made it is easier for businesses to claim tax deductions for environmental expenditure. This information sheet outlines the key changes and provides some answers to common questions. Read more -
July 2005Information for retailers and wood burner owners on the design standard for wood burners. Read more