Publication Search
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October 2015This infographic provides a snapshot of New Zealand’s environment. It presents key findings from ‘Environment Aotearoa 2015’ in a graphic for use online or as a printed poster. Read more
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October 2003This pamphlet outlines New Zealand's approach to genetic modification. Read more
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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
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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
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August 2020This factsheet gives an overview of the different types of waste to energy (WtE) technologies and aspects of the New Zealand context that may be relevant when considering WtE proposals. Read more
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April 2018This infographic provides a snapshot of New Zealand’s land. It presents key findings from Our land 2018. Read more
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October 2010This document provides a summary of the main issues raised in submissions on the Ministry’s discussion document, Waste Minimisation in New Zealand: A Discussion Document. Read more
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March 2004This guide will help decision-makers implement a consistent full cost accounting approach to landfills, incorporating landfill planning, development, operation, closure and aftercare. Read more
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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
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July 2011This environment snapshot has been superseded by the October 2012 Recreational water quality in New Zealand indicator update and the 2013 Suitability for swimming indicator update. Read more
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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
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December 2009These guidelines provide advice on how public health risk associated with cyanobacteria in recreational waters can be managed. Read more
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August 1997The Users’ Guide includes information on assessment, acceptance criteria and site management. It is supported by modules of technical information. Read more
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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
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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
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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
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May 2001This guide aims to increase awareness of the risks associated with closed landfills and to outline the best practical methods to manage closed landfill sites effectively, so that adverse environmental effects are minimised. Read more
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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
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March 2009The discussion document sought feedback on policy proposed to implement the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. Submissions closed on 15 May 2009. Read more
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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
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June 1999Information on the assessment and management of sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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July 2001This leaflet provides a general introduction to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. Read more
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July 2001An essential reference for people affected by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. Read more
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June 2000A guide on where to find information on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. Read more
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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
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April 2017This checklist outlines mandatory changes enacted through the Resource Legislation Amendment Act for councils to implement through their resource management processes. Read more
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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
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August 2006This document is the summary of submissions received on the Product Stewardship and Water Efficiency Labelling Discussion Document 2005. Read more
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April 2004This 2004 discussion document invited submissions on key issues likely to be covered by a HSNO amendment Bill. Read more
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April 2004This 2004 discussion document invited submissions on key issues likely to be covered by a HSNO amendment Bill. Read more
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September 2001This document summaries submissions received on the revised and new ambient air quality guidelines. Read more
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November 1998A 1998 discussion paper on managing hazardous waste in New Zealand. Read more
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July 2013The latest indicator update providing information on the biophysical condition of New Zealand's rivers. Read more
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October 2010This discussion document presents options for improving New Zealand’s resource management regulations and processes. Submissions closed 17 December 2010. Read more
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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
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November 2009This information sheet presents the key findings from data collected from over 900 groundwater sites throughout New Zealand between 1995 and 2008. Read more
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July 2013The latest indicator update providing information on some of the values associated with New Zealand’s fresh and marine waters, measuring recreational water quality. Read more
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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
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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
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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
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May 2019This factsheet has information for businesses on the on the Waste Minimisation (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulations 2018 which take effect in New Zealand on 1 July 2019. Read more
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August 2017This document summaries the submissions recieved on the Government's proposal to ban on the sale and manufacture of plastic microbeads in personal care products in New Zealand. Read more
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January 2017The Government sought views on its proposed ban on the sale and manufacture of plastic microbeads in personal care products in New Zealand. Submissions have now closed. Read more
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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
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August 2018The Government is proposing to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags in New Zealand and would like to hear your views. Submissions closed at 5.00 pm on Friday 14 September 2018. Read more