Publication Search
Search below then narrow your results using the options on the left.
-
April 2017This report outlines the development of a pressure-state-impact model to predict the effect of water abstractions on river flows, using Canterbury as a case study. Read more -
April 2017This report presents information on potential environmental indicators of water allocation: rates of flow take and volumes of flow take; and their cumulative impacts on river flows. Read more -
April 2017This report aimed to develop national level statistics on water allocation to quantify the pressures on river flows, and in turn freshwater ecosystems. Read more -
April 2017This report presents trends in the abundance of freshwater species between 1977 and 2015 based on standardised data from the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database. Read more -
April 2017This report looks at the state and trends of water quality in urban streams, with a focus on Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Read more -
April 2017This report models the state of water quality along New Zealand’s national river network, using data measured at freshwater monitoring sites between 2009 and 2013. Read more -
April 2017This report outlines the development of a database to house scientific and cultural information on the health of Te Arawa lakes (Bay of Plenty). Read more -
April 2017Note: Information in these factsheets may be out of date as a result of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 Read more -
February 2017This document sets out the Government's further work in the ongoing programme of water reform. Read more -
February 2017This report provides an evaluation under section 32 of the Resource Management Act 1991 of the proposed amendments to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. Read more -
February 2017This report has been produced to test potential consequences of setting freshwater objectives for hydro scheme operations. Modelling was undertaken of a selection of various scenarios involving an increase in minimum flows in selected rivers to assess the impact of draft proposals to amend the NPS Freshwater Management on the New Zealand electricity system. Read more -
February 2017This report addresses the question, “By how much would mitigation measures decrease the proportion of time that river reaches exceed the primary contact (swimming) minimum acceptable state E. coli concentration of 540 per 100 ml?” Read more -
February 2017This report provides advice on statistical issues relevant to the 2014 National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, having particular regard to its National Objectives Framework (NOF). Read more -
February 2017Sediment is an important contaminant in New Zealand freshwaters. This report presents the development of an analytical framework to empirically relate various key instream measures of sediment to catchment sediment loads. Read more -
February 2017This report is a strategic assessment of New Zealand’s freshwaters for recreational use from a human health perspective. It outlines the methods used to produce spatial predictions of E. coli and cynobacterial biovolume at unmonitored locations. Read more -
February 2017This report reviews the original report, 'Strategic assessment of New Zealand’s freshwaters for recreational use: a human health perspective'. Read more -
December 2016This report provides the results of an evaluation of the effectiveness of the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation (NPS-REG). Read more -
December 2016This information sheet is for network utility operators or those responsible for public works in areas damaged by the Hurunui/Kaikoura earthquake. It explains how the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquakes Emergency Relief Act 2016 has temporary altered your obligations under the Resource Management Act. Read more -
December 2016This information sheet explains the modified consent process for restoring the Kaikōura harbours specified in the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquakes Emergency Relief Act 2016. Read more -
December 2016This information sheet is for rural land owners and occupiers who need to undertake emergency repair works following the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquake. It explains what you are now permitted to do under the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquakes Emergency Relief Act 2016. Read more -
November 2016This report has been produced by the Ministry for the Environment based on recently held conversations with representatives from councils and stakeholders on their processes and data collected as part of the National Monitoring System and the RMA Survey of Local Authorities. Read more -
November 2016This document presents the findings of the evaluation of the efficiency, effectiveness and risks associated with the proposed National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities regulations. Read more -
November 2016This introductory guide is the first in a series that supports local authorities with implementing the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity 2016. Read more -
October 2016The Proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity was publicly notified on 3 June 2016. This report summarises the recommendations and the Minister for the Environment and for Business and Housing decisions on the recommendations following the public consultation. Read more -
October 2016This evaluation report has been prepared under Section 32AA (s32AA) of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). It should be read alongside the first evaluation report published in May 2016. The s32AA report provides an evaluation of amendments to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity since it was notified for public consultation in June 2016. 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 -
October 2016The National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity 2016 has been replaced by the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020. Read more -
September 2016'A way forward for national direction - 2016' is an updated list of topics that Government intends to address nationally using one of the RMA legislative tools. Read more -
August 2016This guidance is to help local authorities submit the National Monitoring System information requirements for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 (due by Friday 28 July 2017). 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 report provides advice on possible attributes and thresholds relevant to the ecosystem health of intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons and brackish lakes, and their potential for consideration as part of the National Objectives Framework in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Read more -
June 2016This report presents the findings of a review of national and international literature on benthic cyanobacteria and their associated toxins. Read more -
June 2016This report presents findings of a literature review of the effects of fine sediment on ecosystem health and numerical thresholds for (sediment-related) environmental state variables. Read more -
June 2016This report presents the findings of a review of continuous dissolved oxygen data in New Zealand including an assessment of observed dissolved oxygen concentrations in relation to the National Objectives Framework (point source) band thresholds. 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 2016This document provides guidance to council staff on identifying freshwater management units as required under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Read more -
June 2016The first evaluation report prepared under Section 32 of the RMA provides an analysis of options to address the perceived problem with local government’s supply of appropriate urban development capacity. 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 -
June 2016This document provides a two-page summary of the proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. Read more -
June 2016This document provides a summary of submissions received during the consultation on the Government’s Next Steps for Fresh Water discussion document. Read more -
February 2016This consultation document sets out the Government’s proposals to improve the management of fresh water in New Zealand. Read more -
December 2015Report produced by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research which introduces Bayesian Networks as a decision-support tool for councils and their communities to use when developing freshwater management options. 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 -
November 2015This booklet explains the second phase of the Government's Resource Management Act reforms. Read more -
November 2015This fact sheet provides key messages about regional councils’ responsibilities under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 and the Resource Management Act 1991 for managing discharges. Read more -
September 2015This case study describes the collaborative processes used as part of the Healthy Rivers Wai Ora project in the Waikato catchment. 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