Natural Environment Act 2026

The purpose of the Natural Environment Act is to establish a framework for the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment. 

Goals in the Act set out what the system must achieve and what can be regulated. The Natural Environment Act goals are to: 

• enable the use and development of natural resources, including for the production of food and fibre (including aquaculture) 
• safeguard the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil, and ecosystems 
• protect human health from harm caused by the discharge of contaminants 
• support and enable the enhancement of the natural environment 
• protect significant indigenous biodiversity  
• safeguard against natural hazard risks that arise from or affect the use of natural resources or the protection of natural resources 
• provide for Māori interests through: 
  • Māori participation in the development of national instruments, regional spatial plans,, and natural environment plans 
  • the identification and protection of sites of significance to Māori (including, wāhi tapu, water bodies, or sites in or on the coastal marine area) 
  • enabling the development and protection of identified Māori land. 

Learn more about what the Natural Environment Act 2026 means for people, communities and businesses, and how it will be introduced over time.

See the planning website.