Publication Search
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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 -
December 2008The 2008 environmental report card providing information on the area of New Zealand’s marine areas with legal protection. This report card has been superseded by the Marine Protected Areas indicator update published in 2012. Read more -
October 2011This checklist is taken from Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 1 – Reporting on Contaminated Sites in New Zealand (Revised 2011) and relates to the removal and replacement of petroleum underground storage tanks and underground equipment. Read more -
July 2008This proposed National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management sets out the objective and policies for managing New Zealand's freshwater resources under the Resource Management Act 1991. The NPS came into effect on 1 July 2011. Read more -
August 2019The Government is proposing how New Zealand’s chemical management system can be improved to ensure greater protection for people and the environment. This discussion document outlines our proposals and ask questions for your feedback. 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 -
November 2010This environmental report card is one of a series that provides information on New Zealand’s fishing activity from an environmental perspective. Total commercial catch and stock status are used to report on fish stocks under the quota management system (QMS). Read more -
December 2009The Water Research Strategy sets out the issues for water management and guides investment in water research. It is intended to guide the science sector to deliver the information and tools required to enable world class management of water resources in New Zealand. Read more -
March 2010This snapshot report is one of a series that provides information on New Zealand’s fishing activity from an environmental perspective. To report on seabed trawling, the area trawled by commercial trawlers and the types of fish found in different trawled areas are estimated. 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 -
October 2019This report updates indicators for non-indigenous species with new data compiled since 2016. Read more -
May 2005Information on improving the workability of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. Read more -
May 2017This paper gives an overview of the new National Planning Standards tool. Read more -
March 2018This fact sheet provides information to consider when identifying, assessing and investigating land where PFAS was manufactured, used or disposed. This guidance is intended to be consistent with the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (PNEMP) developed by the Heads of EPAs Australia and New Zealand (HEPA) and released in February 2018. 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 -
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 -
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 -
June 2003The Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy is an initiative of the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment community which promotes a new approach to protecting the Fiordland marine environment through co-operative and integrated management. 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 -
December 2013This document summarises the submissions received on the Activity Classifications under the EEZ Act discussion document and presents the main issues and themes raised. Read more -
November 2010This report presents a summary of the regional council consent data for water takes between 2009–10. The information in the report has been used to update the freshwater demand environmental indicator. 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 -
October 2011A history of the Fruitgrowers’ Chemical Company (FCC) at Mapua and the clean up of the site. Read more -
August 2016The Government is considering how best to manage space vehicle launches and is seeking feedback on its proposed regulation. Read more -
April 2011The National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011 sets out the objective and policies for renewable electricity generation under the Resource Management Act 1991. The NPS REG came into effect on 13 May 2011. 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 -
November 2019The Resource Management Review Panel has been established to undertake a comprehensive review of the Resource Management Act and other significant legislation comprising the resource management system. Read more -
June 2011This report contains a summary of the 284 submissions received on options contained in the discussion document Building Competitive Cities: Reform of the urban and infrastructure planning system. Read more -
May 2011An evaluation of alternatives, benefits and costs under section 32 of the Resource Management Act 1991 was carried out before the introduction of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011. The NES came into effect on 1 July 2011. 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 -
May 2011The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011 sets out the objectives and policies for freshwater management under the Resource Management Act 1991. The NES came into effect on 1 July 2011. 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 -
April 2016This business case provides analysis of the regulatory regime for 1080 operational use. 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 -
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 -
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