Natural environment
The Auckland region has some of the most highly regarded natural areas in the country including extensive coastline, the Hauraki Gulf and islands, forest-clad Hunua and Waitakere Ranges and numerous bush remnants, wetlands, streams and lakes. There are many native species present, including rare and threatened animals and plants.
Originally, the region was almost entirely covered by native forest, with saltmarsh and mangroves on the edges of estuaries, and spinifex and pingao on the sand dunes. Today, much of the forest has been cleared and most of our remaining native forest has been modified.
Of the region’s total land area only:
- 12 per cent remains as native forest
- 18 per cent is regenerating scrub
- 4 per cent of the region’s wetlands remain
- 14 per cent of the region’s land is protected.
Protecting our natural environment
Auckland’s population continues to grow rapidly and this places increasing pressure on the natural environment. Protecting and restoring our natural heritage, including the region’s unique geology and native biodiversity and ecosystems, is important to ensure that these valuable taonga (treasures) are conserved and handed on to future generations.
We promote the conservation and protection of our natural environment by:
- Ensuring the sustainable and integrated management of natural heritage through the Resource Management Act
- Caring for natural heritage sites and features on council land
- Protecting significant natural heritage sites and features through district and regional plan protection
- Supporting community initiatives
- Providing funding and grants.
You can find out more about our native plants and animals, and advice about how to restore natural areas by clicking on the links in the See Also box.
Local environmental activities
To find out more about environmental activities in your local area, please use the links below:
Franklin district
Manukau city
North Shore city
Rodney district
Waitakere city