Whakatinana i ngā putanga taiao, me ngā ahurea taonga tuku iho Implementing the environment and cultural heritage outcome

Implementation partners

Mana whenua Hapū and iwi with ancestral relationships to certain areas in Tāmaki Makaurau where they exercise customary authority. , Auckland Council, central government, and community organisations are key partners in the ongoing protection and enhancement of Auckland's environment and cultural heritage.

As kaitiaki Trustee, custodian, guardian. , mana whenua have the responsibility of ensuring that the spiritual and cultural aspects of resources are maintained for future generations. This involves the ongoing protection of  mauri Life principle, life force, vital essence. The essential quality and vitality of a being or entity.  from damage, destruction or modification.

Central government has several important functions.

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has multiple implementation functions arising from a range of legislation including the Resource Management Act, Climate Change Response Act, and Environmental Reporting Act.

MfE contributes to Auckland's environmental well-being through the following activities:

• provision of environmental management laws, regulations and national environmental standards
• national direction through national policy statements and strategies
• guidance and training on best practice
• information about the health of the environment.

In addition, central government is also involved in day-to-day environmental management activities in Auckland through the Department of Conservation's operational work programmes.

Auckland Council has several policy and regulatory levers and undertakes:

• waste management and waste minimisation programmes
• education and monitoring
• funding of grants for environmental enhancement.

Auckland Council will develop an implementation approach for this outcome working alongside our key partners and stakeholders. This will be built on existing programmes and ensure all new elements introduced in Auckland Plan 2050 are planned for.

Transport is a key contributor to the health of Auckland's environment.

As Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency make improvements to Auckland's transport system, there is an opportunity to deliver more sustainable options like low-emission vehicles, improved public transport frequency and green infrastructure approaches.

Wastewater and  stormwater infrastructure Infrastructure intended to manage stormwater, including pipes, drains, streams and channels.  play an important role in improving the quality of the environment. Watercare is a significant partner in ensuring Auckland's wastewater goals are met.

Non-governmental and community organisations involved in sustainability and environmental projects are important partners in delivering on-the-ground, local projects, such as working with businesses on sustainable practices, restoration planting, stream and beach clean-ups.

Individuals, businesses and developers can support the uptake of green technologies, like solar energy and better building technologies.

Mechanisms used to work together

The Auckland Unitary Plan and structure planning process provide a framework and method for delivering positive environmental outcomes.

Environmentally sensitive approaches such as  water-sensitive design Design of developments that focuses on lowering impacts on water and water-based environments. , quality urban design and future-proofed  infrastructure The structures, systems and facilities that support daily life such as water supply, roads and communications, including social infrastructure.  can be embedded in developments from the start, rather than retrofitting later or doing expensive restoration projects.

Collaboration between agencies, and the development of region-wide strategic approaches, can be achieved through fora such as the Kaitiaki Forum, Hauraki Gulf Forum, and the Land and Water Forum.

Supporting strategies and plans

Auckland Council’s strategies, policies and plans have acted as an important input in the development of Auckland Plan 2050.

We will assess these documents to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan

Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan is an Auckland-wide plan to address climate change.

It aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and to guide Auckland as we adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Its priority areas for action are:

• natural environment
• built environment
• transport
• economy
• communities and coast
• food
• puāwaitanga ō te tātai
• energy and industry.

Auckland's Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy 2019

Auckland's Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy recognises the social, environmental, economic and cultural benefits of our urban ngahere (forest) and sets out a strategic approach to knowing, growing, and protecting it.

Regional Pest Management Plan 2020

Auckland’s Regional Pest Management Plan guides all our pest control programmes. We aim to identify and control targeted pests so that they no longer pose a threat to our economy, natural biodiversity, health and cultural identity

Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy

The Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy provides a framework for protecting and enhancing biodiversity, delivering on Auckland Council's statutory responsibilities.

Waste Management and Minimisation Plan

The Waste Management and Minimisation Plan supports reducing waste, reusing and recycling more to achieve a  zero waste A concept that encourages the imitation of sustainable natural cycles where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for other uses.  goal by 2040.

Tūpuna Maunga Integrated Management Plan

The Tūpuna Maunga Integrated Management Plan is a single integrated management plan to set the direction for  maunga Mountain, mount or peak. Also refers to volcanic cones.  restoration, protection and management.

Asset management plans

• Auckland Council's stormwater asset management plan determines how stormwater is managed and supports the use of green infrastructure and minimisation of contaminants making it into the environment.
• The Watercare Asset Management Plan (PDF 6.44 MB) plays a critical role in setting the framework for a safe and resilient Auckland water supply.
• The Open Space Strategic Asset Management Plan (PDF 10.95 MB) recognises that as the city grows, there will be increasing demands on our parks and open space networks.
• The Auckland Transport Asset Management Plan sets out the approach for managing Auckland's transport network. It also recognises the role of our transport system in issues such as waterway contamination and air quality.

Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan

The Hauraki Gulf, known by many as Tikapa Moana and by others as Te Moananui ā Toi, is rightly recognised as a national taonga. Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari is a marine spatial plan designed to safeguard this treasure.

Auckland Water Strategy 2022

The Auckland Water Strategy 2022 is a detailed strategy to protect and enhance te mauri o te w ai, the life-giving capacity of water.

It addresses seven key challenges, that include protecting and enhancing the health of waterbodies and their ecosystems.

It also has two cross-cutting themes (equity and affordability, and climate change) and eight strategic shifts.

Regional Parks Management Plan 2022

The draft Regional Parks Management Plan provides management direction, policies and desired outcomes for our 28 regional parks. These spaces cover approximately 41,000ha in total.

How to get involved

• Get involved with community environmental projects co-ordinated by Auckland Council.
• Find out about options to manage your waste
• Visit what you can do for the environment and find out how you can get involved with freshwater projects.
• Learn how you can choose plants to support ecosystems.
• For businesses, get involved with organisations like the Sustainable Business Network and Sustainable Business Council.

Supporting information

State of Environment Reporting measures the quality of the environment using long-term Auckland-wide datasets covering air quality, marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.

Auckland Council's assessment of potential impacts of different growth scenarios on Auckland's natural environment (2017) can be found on the Knowledge Auckland website (PDF 2.7MB).

The Hauraki Gulf Forum publishes an independent State of the Gulf report every three years.

Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand Environmental Reporting Act reports

• Environment Aotearoa
• Tō tātou whenua - Our Land 2021
• Our Freshwater 2020
• Our Atmosphere and Climate 2020
• Our Marine Environment
• Our Air.

For more information on the role, purpose, implementation activities and monitoring reporting of MfE in relation to air, climate change, freshwater, marine environments, land, waste or the Resource Management Act go to the Ministry for the Environment website.

Find out more about the Environmental Protection Authority.