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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 -
May 2012This independent report prepared for the Ministry by NIWA lists the known possible activities in the EEZ and describes their likely risk to the environment. It also recommends how activities could be classified under the proposed regulatory framework. 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 -
February 2001This 2001 report is an independent appraisal of the health risks posed to New Zealanders by dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. The report contains recommendations on managing these chemicals in New Zealand, and the need to reduce population exposures. Read more -
September 2010This study reports on the use, recycling and disposal to landfill in New Zealand of articles containing brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) flame retardants. Read more -
June 2005This 2005 report looked at the information and tools needed to make smart decisions about the best future uses of our ocean. It assessed the range of information and decision-making tools available in 2005 and identified opportunities to improve requirements. 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 -
November 1998This 1998 report provides data on the levels of dioxins and PCBs in New Zealand retail foods, including dairy products, meat and fish, as well as other staple foods such as potatoes and cereals. Read more -
July 2003Guidance on land use planning approaches for land that is on or near an active fault. Read more -
January 2016This consultation document sets out the Government’s proposal for a new approach to marine protection in New Zealand. The submission period has now closed. 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 -
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 2020This factsheet provides a high-level overview of the new freshwater planning process (FPP) introduced by the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020. Read more -
December 2013In 2013, the Government sought feedback on an exposure draft of the proposed exploratory drilling for oil and gas regulations under the EEZ Act. This document provided supporting information for the consultation. Consultation closed 31 January 2014. Read more -
March 2014This document summarises the submissions received on the exposure draft of regulations for exploration drilling for oil and gas under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 and presents the main issues and themes raised. Read more -
July 2001This leaflet provides a general introduction to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. Read more -
September 2002This study measured dioxin in soils at residential properties in the New Plymouth suburb of Paritutu. It was undertaken because of longstanding community issues with the history of dioxin emissions from a chemical plant located in the suburb. Read more -
July 2001An essential reference for people affected by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. Read more -
June 2000A guide on where to find information on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. Read more -
February 2003This document summarises submissions received in response to the public discussion paper, Improving the Operation of the HSNO Act for New Organisms, published in September 2002 Read more -
April 2017This checklist outlines mandatory changes enacted through the Resource Legislation Amendment Act for councils to implement through their resource management processes. Read more -
September 2002This 2002 discussion paper sought views on changes that might be made to the main piece of legislation controlling genetic modification - the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. Read more -
April 2004This 2004 discussion document invited submissions on key issues likely to be covered by a HSNO amendment Bill. Read more -
June 2003This 2003 report set out the Government's plan to the reduce cost of complying with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act without compromising safety and the environment. Read more -
April 2004This 2004 discussion document invited submissions on key issues likely to be covered by a HSNO amendment Bill. Read more -
September 2001This document summaries submissions received on the revised and new ambient air quality guidelines. Read more -
July 2018In 2017, the Government strengthened the regulatory framework for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas structures and pipelines in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes a new requirement for operators to provide a decommissioning plan before applying for a decommissioning-related marine consent. Read more -
August 2013This discussion document sought feedback on the Government’s proposals for regulating exploratory drilling for oil and gas, discharges of harmful substances, and dumping of waste in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Submissions closed on 25 September 2013. Read more -
November 2002A 2002 stocktake of New Zealand's oceans legislation, policies, and strategies - and the international conventions New Zealand is a party to. Read more -
May 2012This discussion document sought feedback on proposed regulations for managing the environmental effects in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf. Submissions on the discussion document have now closed. Read more -
February 2001This 2001 report provides details about genetic modification (GM) research being conducted in New Zealand and ideas as to how GM and non-GM crops could coexist in New Zealand. Read more -
December 2012The latest indicator update providing information on the area of New Zealand’s marine areas with legal protection. 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 -
July 2006This report examines options for using market-based instruments to maximise the value and sustainability of New Zealand’s marine resource. Read more -
October 2010This discussion document presents options for improving New Zealand’s resource management regulations and processes. Submissions closed 17 December 2010. Read more -
December 1998This 1998 report provides data on the concentrations of dioxins, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and chlorophenols in New Zealand soils. 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 2001This paper is a summary of the report, "Concentrations of selected organochlorines in serum from the non-occupationally exposed New Zealand Population". Read more -
December 1999This 1999 report provides data on the concentrations of dioxins, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and chlorophenols in New Zealand ambient (outdoor) air. Read more -
April 2019This guide outlines the process of gathering information to make decisions about investigating, managing and remediating sites in New Zealand contaminated with PFAS. 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 -
July 2020This document provides a summary of the feedback received on how New Zealand’s chemical management system could be improved to better protect people and the environment. Read more -
November 2001This 2001 ‘benchmark’ survey of a nationally representative sample of New Zealanders, 15 years plus, was undertaken to help the Ministry develop a public information campaign on genetic modification. Read more -
June 1999This 1999 report provides data on the concentrations of dioxins, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and chlorophenols in sediment and shellfish collected from 12 estuaries throughout New Zealand. 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 -
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 -
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 -
December 1998This 1998 report provides data on the concentrations of dioxins, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and chlorophenols in river water and finfish (eel and trout) collected from 13 New Zealand rivers. Read more -
October 2016'Our marine environment 2016' provides an overview of the pressures New Zealand's marine environment faces, how it is changing, and the impacts on our biodiversity, economy, and way of life. Read more