Ministry for the Environment New Zealand

We work to achieve good environmental leadership and decision making at all levels so that we can deliver the environment that New Zealanders expect and deserve.

On this website you can find out about issues that affect the environment, environmental laws and treaties and the state of the environment. There's also information on what you can do for the environment, copies of our publications and information about our organisation.

Interested in working at the Ministry, see our job vacancies.

Latest news from the Ministry

Crown Submission on Central Wind resource consent application

The Minister for the Environment has used his powers under the Resource Management Act to lodge a Crown submission on the Central Wind windfarm proposal in the Central North Island. The submission recognises the importance of renewable, low-carbon energy generation and security of supply, and covers wind energy potential. [2 September 2008]

Aquaculture Planning Fund

Applications are invited for the second funding round for 2008/09. The fund round closes at noon on 17 October 2008. [1 September 2008]

August issue of 'talk sustainability' now available

This monthly newsletter provides information on central and local government sustainability initiatives. It includes information on policy work and activities that are helping New Zealanders take practical steps to live more sustainably. [25 August 2008]

Environment New Zealand 2007 Independent Review

The Ministry commissioned an independent review to obtain stakeholder feedback on the readability, content and overall usefulness of the Environment New Zealand 2007 report. This is important as the Ministry will be producing national-scale state of the environment reports every five years. [22 August 2008]

Scope of a National Policy Statement on Urban Design

The Government has decided that preparing a national policy statement on urban design under the RMA is desirable. In particular, it considers that national guidance will help to improve the quality of urban design in New Zealand, and national guidance will complement existing voluntary, non-statutory initiatives like the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol. The Ministry for the Environment is now seeking views on how a national policy statement on urban design might be framed. [15 August 2008]

Board will consider renewable electricity generation policy

The Minister for the Environment today announced an independent board of inquiry to consider a proposed national policy statement which would recognise the national significance of renewable electricity generation. It is now available for viewing and the board will call for submissions in the upcoming weeks. [13 August 2008]

Launch of the eco-labels directory

This directory has been developed by the New Zealand government to improve the availability of information about ecolabels and other sustainability indicators relevant to our consumers, suppliers and other organisations. It provides summary information about each label, and users are encouraged to access further detail from ecolabel owners' websites using the links provided. [11 August 2008]

Environmental Indicators Quarterly - Issue 1

Welcome to the first issue of Environmental Indicators Quarterly, the Ministry for the Environment’s e-newsletter linking you to information on what’s happening in the realm of environmental reporting. [8 August 2008]

Thinking of building or renovating? Here's a guide to resource consents and building consents

A beginner's guide to resource and building consent processes under the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Building Act 2004 [7 August 2008]

Call for nominations for new Waste Advisory Board

Environment Minister Trevor Mallard is calling for nominations for members to form a new Waste Advisory Board. [6 August 2008]

Assessing Discharges to Air - Good Practice Guides updated

Two good practice guides have been updated, with reports on submissions also published and available online. [31 July 2008]

Ongoing management of conditionally released genetically modified organisms

On 14 July 2008 the government’s Cabinet Business Committee considered a series of proposals aimed at providing a greater level of transparency and increased accountability in the management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). [31 July 2008]

Ministry to assess Mapua report recommendations

The Ministry for the Environment today welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s finding that the main purpose of the contaminated site clean-up at Mapua has been achieved, and the site is no longer a danger for the surrounding community. [29 July 2008]

Coastal hazards and climate change: A guidance manual for local government in New Zealand:

This Guidance Manual is intended to help local authorities manage coastal hazards by providing information on the effects of climate change on coastal hazards, presenting a decision-making framework to assess the associated risks and providing guidance on appropriate response options. [29 July 2008]

Preparing for climate change: A guide for local government in New Zealand

Preparing for Climate Change is a summary of the technical report Climate Change Effects and Impacts Assessment (2nd ed.) released in May 2008. It highlights the most up-to-date projections on how New Zealand’s climate will change in the future. [29 July 2008]

July issue of Environz

This magazine published by the Ministry for the Environment provides information on environment issues of the day, environmental policy development, and action by the Ministry, its partners and stakeholders. [27 July 2008]

Proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management

The Government has announced a proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. A Board of Inquiry has been appointed to publicly notify and undertake a formal consultation process on the proposal. [23 July 2008]

New aquaculture initiatives announced

The Government has announced funding for six new aquaculture projects aimed at progressing aquaculture planning and enabling greater use and flexibility of existing aquaculture space. [22 July 2008]

Inspection of on-site wastewater systems

The government is considering developing a national environmental standard for the inspection of septic tanks and other on-site wastewater systems. The Ministry is seeking public submissions and invites your views, which must be received by 5pm on Friday, 26 September 2008. [18 July 2008]

Sustainable Management Fund to open in October

The 2009/10 funding round of the Sustainable Management Fund (SMF) will open in October 2008 (for projects commencing 1 July 2009). [14 July 2008]

More news from the Ministry