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December 2014The Ministry for the Environment commissioned Graham Environmental Consulting Limited to investigate New Zealand imports and exports of asbestos-containing products, and how important these products are to New Zealand businesses. This report presents the findings of that investigation. Read more -
March 2000This report provides a national inventory of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans emission to air, land and water from known sources for 1998. Read more -
February 2011This report provides a national inventory of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans emission to air, land and water from known sources for 2008. Read more -
April 2019This report provides a national inventory of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran emissions to air, land and water from known sources for 2016. Read more -
November 2018This report provides a national inventory of olychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran emissions to air, land and water from known sources for 2012, together with estimates of the amount of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran present within reservoir sources. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran Read more -
October 2003This pamphlet outlines New Zealand's approach to genetic modification. Read more -
August 2001This 2001 report estimates the value for New Zealand's export trade of our clean green image. The report focuses on three export areas: dairy, inbound tourism and organic produce. Read more -
February 2006Between 2003 and 2006 the Ministry and 13 regional councils worked together to collect agricultural chemicals, mainly from rural properties. This report provides an estimate of the amount of intractable agrichemicals remaining on New Zealand farms following the completion of the programme. Read more -
June 2004This booklet answers some of the basic questions you might have about what genetic modification is, how applications to use it can be made, and how they are controlled and managed in New Zealand. It will also point you to sources of further information. 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 -
February 2006The Value Case for Sustainable Building in New Zealand provides information that can be used to demonstrate the business case for sustainable buildings to key decision-makers. It contains case studies, overseas trends, and potential drivers for sustainable building in the future. Read more -
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 -
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 -
September 2002This is a summary of the submissions received on the public discussion document, Towards a Pesticides Risk reduction Policy for New Zealand, released in April 2002. Read more -
August 1997The Users’ Guide includes information on assessment, acceptance criteria and site management. It is supported by modules of technical information. Read more -
May 2010Preparing for Future Flooding is a summary of the Ministry’s technical report 'Tools for estimating the effects of climate change on flood flow'. It provides good practice information and guidance to help local authorities incorporate climate change impacts into flood risk management. Read more -
April 2002This discussion document released in 2002 discusses how the risks associated with the use of pesticides are managed and suggests some possible fresh approaches. Submissions closed 21 June 2002. 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 -
October 2001This information sheet, published in 2001, provides information on controls in New Zealand for genetic modification and looks at recommendations of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. Read more -
December 1998Guidance for the owners and managers of petroleum industry sites on how to ensure water discharges will not cause significant adverse effects on the environment. Read more -
December 2006New Zealand's National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants sets out how New Zealand is meeting its obligations under this convention. Read more -
April 2003This research report examines the economic risks and opportunities associated with the release of three different types of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in New Zealand, as well as of New Zealand forgoing GMO releases. Read more -
May 2001This report, published in 2001, provides data on the concentrations of dioxins, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in serum collected from New Zealanders aged 15 years and older. 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 -
June 1999Information on the assessment and management of sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Read more -
October 2013The Ministry for the Environment commissioned ENVIRON Australia Pty Ltd, to investigate the practicalities of identifying, sorting and segregating plastics in the e-waste recycling industry, according to those components that contain banned brominated flame retardant (BFR) chemicals. Read more -
September 2007This paper sets out a prioritised Ministry work programme to help manage contaminated land. Read more -
April 2004This report estimates dioxin emissions from New Zealand foundry operations that melt and process scrap metals and alloys. Volume two comprises scientific test data. Read more -
April 2004This report estimates dioxin emissions from New Zealand foundry operations that melt and process scrap metals and alloys. Volume one is the emissions estimate report. 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 -
February 2012The literature review examines published analysis on six emerging technologies: biotechnology, nanotechnology, chemistry, information and communications technology, waste management, and clean energy. 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 -
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 -
April 2008The Ministry for the Environment's emission inventory report under the Carbon Neutral Public Service programme for the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. The programme was discontinued in March 2009. 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 -
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 -
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 -
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