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December 2012The Ministry commissioned this pilot study to identify if plastics in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE, or e-waste) contained brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Read more -
December 2012This report presents an in-depth, qualitative case study of an important experience of collaborative governance: the process undertaken by a small steering group developing the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. Read more -
December 2012This publication provides a case study that reflects researchers’ observations and interviews with participants of New Zealand’s first national attempt at collaborative governance in the complex and frequently contested area of freshwater management. 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 -
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 -
June 2012This report examines whether the scale of compliance costs arising from New Zealand’s hazardous substances regime was comparable with compliance costs imposed on users of chemicals in overseas jurisdictions. Read more -
June 2012This report identifies the key factors that influence businesses' decisions to innovate using new organisms in New Zealand. The aim of the project was to determine whether regulation for managing risks is an important determinant in such decisions. Read more -
June 2012The Gap Analysis was one of four studies undertaken as part of the RMA Monitoring and Review Project. The gap analysis distilled key points from the three scoping studies to identify gaps and opportunities for designing and developing an integrated monitoring framework for the RMA. Read more -
June 2012This leaflet provides information for landowners and developers who are considering subdividing or changing the use of their land. Read more -
May 2012The Stocktake of RMA Monitoring was one of four studies undertaken as part of the RMA Monitoring and Review Project. The Stocktake provided a better understanding of the processes and systems used by local and central government to monitor the RMA. Read more -
May 2012A report by the Department of Labour containing the results of an investigation into possible occupational health and safety issues on the Mapua remediation site. Read more -
April 2012The Case Studies of National Monitoring Frameworks was one of four studies undertaken as part of the RMA Monitoring and Review Project. Eight national monitoring frameworks were reviewed to see where similarities can be drawn and to identify lessons learnt. 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 -
February 2012This independent report surveys literature on the regulation of chemical and biological risks in Australia, Canada, China, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Read more -
February 2012The literature review examines published analysis on six emerging technologies: biotechnology, nanotechnology, chemistry, information and communications technology, waste management, and clean energy. Read more -
February 2012The report examines how a number of relatively new technologies might impact on New Zealand’s economy. It applies scenario and quantitative modelling to four technologies, assessing their possible impacts on New Zealand’s economy, public health, and environment. 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 -
December 2006This document provides a step-by-step protocol for the collection of groundwater samples in New Zealand. Read more -
December 2006New Zealand's National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants sets out how New Zealand is meeting its obligations under this convention. Read more -
November 2006This 2006 discussion paper draws together the measures that make up New Zealand’s contaminated land policy framework, and evaluates them to identify any gaps and possible solutions/improvements to the existing framework. 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 -
November 2006This report provides a snapshot of lake water quality and lake water quality monitoring in New Zealand between and 1995 and 2005. Read more -
November 2006This report provides an overview of consumptive water allocation and use in New Zealand in 2006. Read more -
September 2006This independent research report prepared for the Ministry by Research New Zealand details the results of the Local Government Urban Design Skills Survey undertaken during May and June 2006. Read more -
August 2006This guide to preparing a basic assessment of environmental effects has not been updated to reflect changes in processes arising from the Resource Management Amendment Act 2009 or the Resource Management Amendment Act 2013. Read more -
August 2006This report provides a review of regional council and unitary authorities freshwater management planning and practices. It focuses on water availability, water allocation, water quality management, and monitoring and management. 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 -
July 2006This report investigates approaches for the allocation and subsequent reallocation of water in New Zealand, including situations of over-allocation. Read more -
July 2006The Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan was approved by the Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Board on 30 September 2005 and amended by the High Court in July 2006. The plan allocates the water of the Waitaki River and its tributaries, lakes, wetlands and aquifers. Read more -
April 2006The Cultural Health Index is a tool that Māori can use to assess and manage waterways in their area. This technical report describes how the Cultural Health Index works scientifically and how it has been developed through testing on different river types and with different iwi. Read more -
April 2006This paper outlines a proposed package of actions under the Sustainable Water Programme of Action. The Sustainable Water Programme of Action was established in 2003 and ran until the end of 2008. Read more -
April 2006In early 2005, the Government held meetings throughout New Zealand to discuss problems facing water management , and to identify possible solutions. This document summarises what we found out, and what we believe needs to be done to improve freshwater management in New Zealand. Read more -
March 2006The Action Plan Review is a short summary of all the Urban Design Protocol action plans the Ministry for the Environment received before December 2005. The review highlights the actions proposed by the signatories and the general direction their actions are taking. Read more -
February 2006Between 2003 and 2006 the Ministry and 13 regional councils worked together to collect agricultural chemicals, mainly from rural properties. This report provides an estimate of the amount of intractable agrichemicals remaining on New Zealand farms following the completion of the programme. Read more -
February 2006This report investigates the role of urban design in building competitive cities and prosperous economies. 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