Proposed national policy statement for indigenous biodiversity

Under development
This regulation is not finalised or in effect.

The Government is proposing a National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity. This builds on a draft created by the Biodiversity Collaborative Group.

Would be under the

Resource Management Act

Lead agency

MfE with support from the Department of Conservation

Status

We consulted on the proposed NPS from November 2019 to March 2020.

Read the proposed NPS

Submissions are under review: Summary of submissions report

If approved, the proposed NPS is likely to take effect in July 2021.

It would become national direction under the Resource Management Act 1991 [New Zealand Legislation website]

Find out more about the consultation

About the development

MfE has developed a proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB) which sets out a range of regulated measures that require councils to take a more proactive role in protecting biodiversity.

An NPSIB would fill a significant gap in the way we manage our biodiversity. It would provide national direction and guidance to local councils on how to improve biodiversity management across the country.

The proposed NPSIB applies across public and private land including terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands. It would especially impact the management of biodiversity on private land where many of our threatened species, habitats, and ecosystems are found.

For background information see Developing a national policy statement for indigenous biodiversity.