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May 2018The Managing Upstream project aims to help inform management decisions when establishing freshwater objectives under the Freshwater NPS and increase knowledge on the state of different estuary types in New Zealand. Read more -
May 2018Phormidium is a potentially toxic, mat-forming benthic cyanobacterium found in an increasing number of New Zealand rivers. This report outlines a study which investigated drivers of Phormidium blooms in New Zealand rivers to predict risk of blooms. Read more -
May 2018This report provides an environmental classification system for a potential deposited sediment indicator in the National Objectives Framework. The system classifies streams according to their modelled reference state. This report is an interim deliverable for an ongoing research programme that builds on and refines its findings and will conclude in June 2018. Read more -
May 2018This research assesses the applicability of environmental classification systems for a potential suspended sediment indicator in the National Objectives Framework. It evaluated the relationship between modelled suspended sediment indicator values and observed values, land cover, and River Environment Classification typologies. This report is an interim deliverable for an ongoing research programme that builds on and refines its findings and will conclude in June 2018. Read more -
May 2018This report proposes updated guideline values for copper and zinc in marine and freshwaters. Read more -
April 2018Mana Whakahono ā Rohe is a new tool designed to assist tangata whenua and local authorities discuss, agree and record how they will work together under the Resource Management Act. This guidance explains how the legislation can be implemented and provides ideas about what could be included in a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe arrangement. Read more -
April 2018This report provides an analysis of New Zealand’s wetland loss for the period summer 2001/2 through to summer 2015/2016. Read more -
April 2018The Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, and the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge co-funded research to look at contemporary losses of wetland extent in New Zealand. This report provides recommendations and a suggested path forward to improve our ability to monitor and report on national wetland extent. 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 non-statutory application form is to help councils that wish to request a streamlined planning process under section 80C of the RMA. It includes the information requirements that are set out in clause 74 of Schedule 1. Read more -
March 2018This guide provides information about setting limits under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (as amended 2017). Read more -
March 2018This guide helps councils to make a request to the Minister for a streamlined planning process. It explains the streamlined planning process, including altered decision and appeal processes. Read more -
March 2018This working paper produced by NIWA for the Ministry for the Environment in 2016 proposes a methodology for calculating over-allocation of fresh water. Read more -
March 2018A new streamlined planning process (SPP) was introduced by Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017, which took effect on 19 April 2017. This flow chart shows the steps involved in the Streamlined Planning Process. It should be read in conjunction with the SPP technical guidance. Read more -
March 2018This report sets out our research on tangata whenua provisions in district and regional planning documents and discusses their variation. Read more -
March 2018This report has regional summaries of the work planned or underway to improve water quality in rivers and lakes in terms of human health. Read more -
February 2018An independent report has shown that water quality for sediment and E. coli have improved over the past 7-10 years in the Horizons Region. There are encouraging signs that local scale interventions are collectively contributing to regional scale water quality improvements. The case study, conducted by Land Water People Ltd and reviewed by NIWA and StatsNZ, was commissioned jointly by the Ministry for the Environment and Horizons Regional Council as a way to understand improving water quality trends in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. 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 package of briefings was provided to the incoming Minister for the Environment and Minister for Climate in October 2017. Read more -
December 2017This report analyses the state of freshwater quality for the past 25 years based on a national scale model. Read more -
December 2017This report summarises the state and trends of groundwater quality between 2005 and 2014 Read more -
December 2017This report estimates the net amount of surface water available in New Zealand and in each region between 1995 and 2014. Read more -
December 2017This report discusses a suite of indices that can be used to measure and report on river flow across New Zealand. This information can help indicate the effect river flows have on river processes and water availability among other freshwater values. 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 2017This material is incorporated by reference in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. Read more -
October 2017This report compares nutrient measurements in Wellington rivers by national recommended protocols versus Greater Wellington Regional Council’s historical protocols. Read more -
October 2017Our Statement of Intent 2017–2021 and Annual Report 2016/17 provides information about our plans for the next four years and how we’ve performed during 2016/17. Read more -
September 2017The Clean Water discussion document proposed changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Following the consultation recommendations on amending the Freshwater NPS were made to the Minister for the Environment. This report provides a summary of decisions the Minister made based on those recommendations. Read more -
September 2017The purpose of this guide is to help professionals understand and successfully implement deemed permitted activity processes under sections 87BA and 87BB of the Resource Management Act 1991, brought in by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. These sections come in force from 18 October 2017. Read more -
September 2017This report investigates how the structure, format, and presentation of RMA plans impact the ability of lay people to navigate and understand the plan provisions. Read more -
September 2017The deemed permitted boundary activity process was introduced by RLAA, to take effect from 18 October 2017. This provides guidance to assist councils with processing these applications. Read more -
August 2017This review provides a stocktake of the progress made by each regional council towards implementing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) in their plans. Read more -
August 2017This report provides recommendations to the Minister for the Environment and Minister for Primary Industries on proposed amendments to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. Read more -
August 2017This is an evaluation under s32AA of the Resource Management Act 1991, and further evaluates any changes to amendments proposed in the Clean Water discussion document since the initial s32 evaluation (published February 2017). Read more -
August 2017The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) mark a significant change in the way forestry activities are managed under the Resource Management Act. This brochure provides an overview of the regulations for the councils and foresters. Read more -
August 2017This series of fact sheets provides information on the changes made in August 2017 to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. Read more -
August 2017The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (Freshwater NPS) sets out the objectives and policies for freshwater management under the Resource Management Act 1991. It came into effect on 1 August 2014 and amendments made in August 2017 took effect on 7 September 2017. Read more -
August 2017This document provides guidance for planners and engineers on managing risks from liquefaction. It covers how to determine if liquefaction is an issue that needs to be managed, and appropriate land-use planning and building controls. Read more -
July 2017This project was aimed at developing Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s (BOPRC) staff capability to apply tools and frameworks to support freshwater policy development. It introduced tools, frameworks, processes and disciplines that will strengthen the policy process. Read more -
July 2017Since 2015, Gisborne District Council (GDC) and Beef and Lamb New Zealand have been engaging with Rere farmers to try and raise water quality together to a swimmable standard. Farmer interest and participation in the project has been high and this report tells the story of the Rere Project to date, including lessons, next steps and strategic implications. Read more -
July 2017This report assesses how well we are developing and maintaining the regulatory regimes that we are responsible for, including the current state of each piece of legislation, any plans for amendments, and our view of important emerging issues. Read more -
July 2017The expenses of the Ministry for the Environment’s Chief Executive for the period 1 July 2016 - 30 June 2017. Read more -
June 2017This draft guidance is for councils or participants considering, or carrying out, a collaborative planning process under Part 4, Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Read more -
June 2017This guidance is for territorial authorities considering, or undertaking, a collaborative planning process to review, prepare or change a proposed plan, which will include addressing designations, heritage orders or notices of requirement. Read more -
June 2017This guidance is to help local authorities submit the National Monitoring System information requirements for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018. Read more -
June 2017The 2017 Four Year Plan sets out the Ministry for the Environment’s strategic intentions for 2017/18 to 2020/2021. The Four Year Plan was prepared before Budget 2017 and was current at May 2017. Read more -
June 2017This brochure provides a high level overview of the main legislative changes made by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. It provides a useful summary for councillors, executives and members of the public. Read more -
June 2017The Chief Economist Unit (CEU) at the Auckland Council commissioned this study on behalf of the Ministry for Environment to look at the feasibility of developing a Computational General Equilibrium (CGE) model to analyse the economic impacts of implementing the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management. Read more -
June 2017GDC approached AgResearch to develop a model of the cost-effectiveness of appropriate mitigation options that could be implemented on farm to address the issue of faecal contamination (as indicated by the presence of E. coli) of the river. Read more