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July 2020New Directions for Resource Management in New Zealand is a comprehensive review of our resource management system. The review process was an opportunity to design a new system for resource management that delivers better outcomes for our environment, society, economy, and culture. Read more -
February 2017This report provides a classification of coastal hydrosystems within New Zealand, including some offshore islands. Read more -
October 2016This infographic provides a snapshot of New Zealand's marine environment. It presents key findings from 'Our marine environment 2016'. Read more -
February 2019This review was carried out to improve understanding of marine habitats in New Zealand. 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 -
July 2008This leaflet provides an overview of the proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. The NES came into effect on 1 July 2011. Read more -
July 2020This summary outlines the principal reasons which led to the review of the resource management system and the Resource Management Review Panel’s main recommendations in their report. 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
June 2020This factsheet provides a high-level overview of the new freshwater planning process (FPP) introduced by the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020. 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 -
January 2010This environmental snapshot provides information on the pressures on New Zealand’s environment from land use. Read more -
May 2017This report assesses the structure and format of regional rules, and how they vary around New Zealand. Read more -
May 2017This report examines the use of spatial planning tools across New Zealand and identifies commonalities and differences. Read more -
May 2017This 2013 report identified practice and trends in the structure, format and electronic delivery of RMA plans in New Zealand. Read more -
May 2017This report examines urban zone provisions within district plans throughout New Zealand to better understand the most commonly used provisions and the key differences in the core urban zones. 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 -
June 2003Every two years the Ministry for the Environment carries out the Resource Management Act (RMA) survey of all local authorities in New Zealand. The survey includes questions about six key aspects of RMA process. 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 -
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 -
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 -
May 2017This paper gives an overview of the new National Planning Standards tool. Read more -
September 2020A new fast track process for more straightforward applications (district land use activities) has been introduced by RLAA. Read more -
December 2014This guide will help practitioners understand and implement new provisions that determine the timeframes for decision-making on fully and limited notified resource consent applications. Read more -
December 2014This guide will help practitioners understand and implement new provisions concerning the required content of resource consent applications under section 88 and Schedule 4 of the RMA. Read more -
September 2020A new step-by-step process to determine whether to give public or limited notification of resource consents has been introduced by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. Read more -
May 2017This report studies five districts (Kaipara, New Plymouth, Taupo, Waimakariri and Clutha) to understand why district councils use ‘effects-based’ plans, and the usability and outcomes of such plans. Read more -
October 2009This is one in a series of fact sheets summarising changes made by the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Act 2009. This sheet outlines new mechanisms for direct referral, requests for independent commissioners and restricted coastal activities decisions. Read more -
October 2009This is one in a series of fact sheets summarising the main changes made by the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Act 2009. This fact sheet outlines the roles, functions and powers of the new Environmental Protection Authority. 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 -
October 2009This is one in a series of fact sheets summarising the main changes made by the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Act 2009. This fact sheet outlines new tools to reduce vexatious and frivolous appeals and appeals motivated or backed by trade competition. 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 -
March 2006These best practice guidelines have been developed to identify, assess and manage environmental impacts associated with petroleum exploration, development and production activities being undertaken in NZ's Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf beyond the Territorial Sea. Read more -
August 2017This report assesses the environmental risks to the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf of threats arising from jettisoned material from space launch vehicles. 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 -
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 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 -
November 1998This document provides standardised whole effluent toxicity testing (WETT) protocols to test the potential biological impact of discharges into the aquatic environment of contaminated wastewater. 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 -
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 -
April 2017Note: Information in these factsheets may be out of date as a result of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 Read more -
May 2017This document gives a review of the electronic delivery of planning, and planning systems in five jurisdictions identified by the Ministry for the Environment . Read more -
October 2009To better understand the challenges faced by large resource consent applications, the Ministry commissioned a review of resource consent applications by TrustPower Ltd to construct and operate a hydro power scheme on the Wairau River, Marlborough. This report presents the review findings. Read more -
July 2020The COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 enables eligible infrastructure and development projects to start as soon as possible. This fact sheet provides an overview for local authorities. 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 -
April 2017This guide will help practitioners and decision-makers undertake good practice section 32 evaluations. Read more -
July 2020This document provides guidance for applicants who wish to apply to the Minister for the Environment for their project to be referred to an expert consenting panel under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020. Read more -
November 2018This report assesses how well we are developing and maintaining the regulatory regimes we are responsible for, including the state of each piece of legislation, any plans for amendments, and our view of important emerging issues. Read more