The Ministry for the Environment is the Government’s primary adviser on the New Zealand environment and international matters that affect the environment.
Mission: Environmental stewardship for a prosperous New Zealand
Whakatakanga: Tiakina te taiao kia tōnui a Aotearoa
The Environment Act 1986, under which the Ministry was established, describes functions that include collecting and disseminating information, providing advice, resolving conflict, and providing an environmental perspective on government proposals.
Our role includes advising the Government on the institutions, laws, regulations, policies and economic incentives that set the framework for environmental management. Currently, these laws, regulations and policies are primarily implemented and enforced through others, especially the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and local government. We are now placing greater emphasis on understanding and driving good outcomes from the environmental management system. As a result, we are positioning ourself at the centre of this system with a much stronger partnership approach to all the stakeholders within it.
Many international issues and agreements, especially global action on climate change, are connected to environmental management. We have a significant role in providing advice on international negotiations and ensuring New Zealand meets its obligations under international agreements.
Fresh water and other natural resources are important for New Zealand’s economic development and prosperity. Environmental policy and management, therefore, must connect with economic policy. We work with other government natural resources agencies to give integrated advice on how resources can be used efficiently within sustainable limits. We also monitor the activities and performance of the EPA on behalf of the Minister for the Environment.
Legislation administered by the Ministry for the Environment
A number of our work programmes include administration of legislation. We are responsible for the following laws, including amendments and regulations under these laws:
- Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941
- Environment Act 1986
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
- Climate Change Response Act 2002
- Aquaculture Reform (Repeals and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004
- Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005
- Waste Minimisation Act 2008
- Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Act 2010
- Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011
- Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012.
Nature and scope of functions
May 2014
© Ministry for the Environment