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December 2020This report surveyed international frameworks, identified important lessons for outcome-based environmental management, and helps clarify what setting environmental limits and targets will require. Read more -
December 2020This report translates the planetary boundaries framework to show New Zealand’s global environmental connections and quantifies where our country sits in terms of operating within environmentally safe boundaries. Read more -
July 2019This factsheet is about our work on contaminated land and is one of 12 factsheets produced for the Environment Committee’s 2019/20 Estimates examination of Vote Environment. Read more -
July 2019This factsheet about the Ministry's work on PFAS is one of 12 factsheets produced for the Environment Committee’s 2019/20 Estimates examination of Vote Environment. Read more -
July 2019This factsheet about on work on productive and sustainable land is one of 12 factsheets produced for the Environment Committee’s 2019/20 Estimates examination of Vote Environment. Read more -
March 2019This updated National Implementation Plan outlines measures to implement our obligations relating to new persistent organic pollutants added to the Stockholm Convention in 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2017. It also reports on New Zealand’s achievements in phasing out the 12 initial POPs. Read more -
September 2016Findings of the interim review of the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health and Hazardous Activities and Industries List. Read more -
September 2016This snapshot summarises the proposed amendments to the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health Regulations 2011. 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 -
August 2016This report presents the findings of research into the potential adoption of a bioavailability assessment methodology for soil contaminants in New Zealand. Read more -
August 2016This report presents the findings of a review into the use of site management for residential land to manage potential health risks from low-level diffuse contamination in soil. 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 -
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 -
October 2011A history of the Fruitgrowers’ Chemical Company (FCC) at Mapua and the clean up of the site. Read more -
September 2011This report provides an evaluation of the proposed National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health. The NES came into effect on 1 January 2012. Read more -
May 2011This report provides a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health. 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 -
January 2011The proposed NPS on Indigenous Biodiversity sets out the Government's expectations for managing New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity under the Resource Management Act 1991. Read more -
January 2011This proposed National Policy Statement sets out the objective and policies to manage natural and physical resources so as to maintain indigenous biological diversity (biodiversity) under the Resource Management Act 1991. Read more -
February 2010This discussion document, including the proposed national environmental standard and supporting soil guideline values, propose planning controls appropriate to district and city council plans for assessing contaminants in soil, and a set of chemical-specific soil contaminant thresholds that will define an adequate level of protection for human health for a range of differing land-uses in New Zealand. Read more -
January 2010This environmental snapshot provides information on the pressures on New Zealand’s environment from land use. Read more -
January 2010The latest indicator update providing information on the state of New Zealand’s land, using the soil health indicator. Read more -
October 2009The Land Monitoring Forum has compiled this guide to help regional council staff undertaking land monitoring. Read more -
July 2009This report is the first time a national picture of water quality in dairying catchments has been published for New Zealand. The report draws together water quality and land-use information from 14 river catchments. Read more -
June 2009This report presents the results of an audit of the remediation of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site at Mapua. Read more -
August 2008In 2004, the Government decided to review flood risk management to ensure the framework was robust. The Ministry for the Environment led the review, and a Steering Group provided direction and guidance. This report presents the review's findings. Read more -
June 2008This is one in a series of information sheets providing a snapshot of the data in Environment New Zealand 2007, the second national-level state of NZ’s environment report. Each information sheet also provides tips about what you can do to reduce your impact on the environment. Read more -
March 2008This report estimates the extent of dioxin contamination at sawmill sites in New Zealand where pentachlorophenol (known as PCP) was used as a timber treatment in sprays or dips until its withdrawal in 1988. Read more -
September 2007This paper sets out a prioritised Ministry work programme to help manage contaminated land. Read more -
September 2007This report contains a summary of the submissions received on the discussion paper Working Towards a Comprehensive Policy Framework for Managing Contaminated Land in New Zealand – Discussion paper. 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 -
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 -
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 -
October 2004A handy guide to help farmers design culverts and bridges of adequate size. Read more -
July 2004This paper was published as part of the Water Programme of Action Freshwater for a Sustainable Future consultation. Read more -
June 2004This report presents the extent of council effort and expenditure on biodiversity and the extent of biodiversity protection. Read more -
February 2004This guideline provides best practice for the sampling and analysis of soils on sites where hazardous substances are present or suspected in soils in New Zealand, and guidance on the principles governing the interpretation of the data obtained. Read more -
February 2004This guideline describes the background to and use of the Risk Screening System. The system provides a consistent way to rank sites that are, or are suspected of being, contaminated. Read more -
November 2003The Ministry and local government developed these guidelines to ensure the consistent selection and application of the environmental guideline values most commonly used in contaminated site assessments in New Zealand. Read more -
May 2003This report consolidates the different farm plans used in New Zealand into one document. It sets out the components of the farm plans, how they are used by regional councils and industry, and discusses their merits and effectiveness in environmental management on farms. Read more -
June 2002Information for lake managers on the relationship between water quality in lakes and the processes in the surrounding catchment. Read more -
July 2001This publication provides background information about the sources, causes and processes involved with the deterioration of streams in farmed catchments and the consequences of that deterioration. Read more -
June 2001The Soil Conservation Handbook is a comprehensive collection of information about soil conservation in New Zealand. Part A covers the forms and processes of the main types of erosion in New Zealand while Part B describes the control techniques. Read more -
April 2001This checklist for the removal of petroleum underground storage tanks is taken from Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 1 – Reporting on Contaminated Sites in New Zealand (Revised 2011). Read more -
December 2000A report summarising submissions made on the preliminary consultation report of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Biodiversity and Private Land. Read more