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October 2017This report describes the rainfall indices and datasets used in the measure of rainfall intensity in the Environmental indicators Te taiao Aotearoa series. Read more -
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 -
June 2001This report is a step-by step guide to preparing emission inventories in New Zealand. It contains information on the purpose, process, methodology and application of emission inventory investigations. Read more -
June 2007This plain English brochure contains information about PM10 air pollution and how it is monitored, and the national environment standards for air quality. Read more -
February 2014This document explains the proposed new approach to environmental reporting in New Zealand introduced by the Environmental Reporting Bill. The Bill, tabled in February 2014, proposes greater clarity over the roles and responsibilities for environmental reporting 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 2008The Ministry commissioned an independent review to obtain stakeholder feedback on the readability, content and overall usefulness of the Environment New Zealand 2007 report. Read more -
March 2011This New Zealand Domestic Solid Fuel Burner Authorisation Manual provides details of the national authorisation procedures required for the sale of compliant domestic solid fuel burning appliances. Read more -
December 2009These guidelines provide advice on how public health risk associated with cyanobacteria in recreational waters can be managed. Read more -
August 2001This guide provides guidance on the benefits of clear visibility, the contaminants and factors affecting visibility, suitable monitoring methods, potential indicators of visibility degradation, and how emissions causing visibility can be managed in New Zealand. 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
July 2020The Government intends to ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury and is proposing to introduce a new set of regulations to do so. We are seeking your views on the Government’s proposals and the impacts of the proposed controls on New Zealand. 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 -
August 2011The National Air Quality Compliance Strategy sets out the practices regional councils could adopt to meet the air quality standard for PM₁₀ (particulate matter less than 10 micrometres) and thereby deliver clean healthy air for all New Zealanders. Read more -
September 2001This document summaries submissions received on the revised and new ambient air quality guidelines. 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 -
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 -
April 2009This document provides best practice guidance on ambient (outdoor) air quality monitoring and data management in New Zealand. Read more -
November 2016This guide outlines good practice in assessing and managing odours that cause offensive and objectionable effects in New Zealand. 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 -
May 2017This 2013 report identified practice and trends in the structure, format and electronic delivery of RMA plans in New Zealand. Read more -
June 2004The Good Practice Guide for Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling provides good-practice protocols for carrying out atmospheric dispersion modelling 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 -
November 2016This guide outlines good practice recommendations for assessing air quality in New Zealand, mainly for the purpose of resource consent applications. It provides a practical and reasonable approach to managing discharges to air from industry. Read more -
September 2005During 2005/06 the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) undertook a review of New Zealand’s environmental performance. This information sheet outlined the nature and process of the review and how interested individuals and groups could get involved. 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 -
August 2011In 2011, the Government consulted on the proposal for an Environmental Reporting Bill. This consultation document sought people’s input and views on the proposed options for improving national state of the environment reporting in New Zealand. Submissions closed on 18 October 2011. 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 -
May 2017This paper gives an overview of the new National Planning Standards tool. Read more -
October 2017This report details the methodologies underlying updated estimates of glacier ice volume change in New Zealand. The estimates were used in the measure of Annual glacier ice volumes in the Environmental indicators Te taiao Aotearoa series. 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 -
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 -
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 2000The Stream Periphyton Monitoring Manual describes a standard set of methods for regional councils, consultants and researchers to collect and analyse data on periphyton for resource surveys, impact assessments/monitoring, state of environment reporting and research studies. Read more -
October 2009This report updates the cost-benefit analysis of the National Environmental Standards (NES) on Air Quality undertaken in 2004. 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 2007This material is incorporated by reference in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. Read more -
November 2016This guide provides information on how to assess and manage dust emissions from sources such as quarrying, aggregate crushing, abrasive blasting, sealed and unsealed surfaces, and material stockpiles. Read more -
November 2015The Government recently consulted on proposed topics for national environmental reporting. This document includes the proposed topic list and supporting information. Submissions closed on 23 December 2015. 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