Te ahunga whakamua taiao me ngā ahurea tāonga tuku iho

Environment and cultural heritage progress

We know we have achieved this outcome when Aucklanders preserve, protect and care for the natural environment as our shared cultural heritage, for its intrinsic value and for the benefit of present and future generations.

Annual scorecard

Scorecard measures

The annual scorecard tracks progress against this outcome through the following measures:

Measure 1: Treasuring and stewardship of the natural environment and cultural heritage.

Measure 2: Active management of priority native habitats.

Measure 3: Active management of threatened native plants and animals.

Measure 4: Marine and freshwater quality.

Measure 5: Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

Measure 6: Statutory protection of environment and cultural heritage.

2022 annual scorecard

The 2022 annual scorecard (PDF 13MB) provides updated data on 13 sub-measures this year.

Water quality measures are unchanged compared to their baselines.

Air quality sub measures (fine particulate matter and NO2 levels) have generally improved.

Auckland’s next five-yearly State of the Environment Report (PDF 18.3MB) provides an integrated overview of data and trends across all environmental domains.

Three yearly progress report

The Three yearly progress report (PDF 17.3MB) provides a more detailed analysis of trends for this outcome, drawing on a range of other reports and data sets.

The 2020 Three yearly progress report indicates that we have made positive progress with our beach water quality, domestic waste, the number of community groups active in environmental restoration initiatives and public awareness, and our understanding and appreciation for Auckland’s cultural heritage. The pattern of consented activity within the existing urban area has also continued to largely follow the quality compact approach.

The report identified some opportunities for greater progress that are important to the future of this outcome:

Transitioning to sustainable urban planning and development approaches.
Building resilience of our environment, species, cultural heritage and infrastructure to climate change impacts.

A full discussion of these findings can be found in the "Environmental and cultural heritage" chapter of the Three yearly progress report (PDF 17.3MB)

Note: The Three Yearly progress report (PDF 17.3MB) does not capture the impacts of COVID-19. For the most recent data available for Auckland, see Auckland Council's Research and Evaluation Unit, in the "New on Knowledge Auckland" section.

Measure 1: Treasuring and stewardship of the natural environment and cultural heritage

2021/2022 has seen more waste collected than during any other year.

Domestic waste tonnage collected through Auckland Council’s kerbside refuse service. Source: Contractor tonnage reporting, Auckland Council.

Measure 2: Active management of priority native habitats

31 per cent of rural mainland Auckland is under sustained management for possums. This is more than any other year.

2a. The proportion of rural mainland Auckland under sustained management for possums. Source: Regional Possum Control Project – Mainland Programme, Environmental Services, Auckland Council.

More than 50% of priority native habitats in regional parks are under active management for pest plants in 2022. The amount was 44% in 2021.

2b. The proportion of priority native habitats on regional parks under active management for pest plants. Source: Parks Integrated Site Management Project – Mainland Programme, Environmental Services, Auckland Council.

A similar number of trees were planted in 2022 as in 2021. In both years just over 600,000 were planted.

2c. The number of native plants planted. Source: Auckland Council.

Measure 3: Active management of threatened native plants and animals

There are a similar number of plant and animal species that are regionally vulnerable to extinction under active management in 2021 and 2022.

3a. The proportion of plant and animal species regionally vulnerable to extinction under active management. Source: Threatened Species Project – Biodiversity Focus area Programme, Environmental Services, Auckland Council.

Nine species-led projects are being delivered on Hauraki Gulf islands for the purpose of maintaining or achieving eradication of pest plants and pest animals in 2022. In 2021 this number was seven.

3b. The number of species-led projects being delivered on Hauraki Gulf islands for the purpose of maintaining or achieving eradication of pest plants and pest animals. Source: Islands Programme, Environmental Services, Auckland Council.

Measure 4: Marine and freshwater quality

The average Water Quality Index score is highest for native, then exotic, rural and finally urban. This trend has been the same since 2014.

4a. Stream water quality (Water Quality Index - scale 1-100. Source: River Water Quality Monitoring Programme, Research and Monitoring Unit, Auckland Council.

The trophic level index showing coastal quality is similar between 2012-2017 and 2015-2019.

4b. Coastal water quality (Coastal Water Quality Index - scale 1-100). Source: Lake Water Quality Monitoring Programme, Research and Monitoring Unit, Auckland Council.

The number of long-term water quality alerts for beaches and streams dropped to 8 in 2021/2021. In the two summer seasons prior, there were 12 events each year.

4c. The proportion of time Safeswim reference beaches are suitable for contact recreation. Source: Safeswim Programme, Auckland Council.

Measure 5: Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions

The concentration of air pollutants has dropped or remained the same in all measured areas but Glen Eden, where there was a small increase in 2021.

5a. The concentration of air pollutants (NO2 μg/m³). Source: Ambient air quality monitoring programme, Auckland Council.

The concentration of fine particulate matter went up to various degrees in three of the four places tested. It went down in Penrose.

5b. Concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 μg/m³). Source: Ambient air quality monitoring programme, Auckland Council.

Measure 6: Statutory protection of environment and cultural heritage

The total area of scheduled Significant Ecological Areas remains constant across terrestrial and marine environments since 2018.

6a. The total area of scheduled Significant Ecological Areas (hectares). Source: Schedule 3 and 4 of the Auckland Unitary Plan.

The number of protected sites and places of significance to mana whenua now total over 100.

6b. Protected sites and places of significance to mana whenua. Source: Schedule 12 of the Auckland Unitary Plan and appendices 1f and 2f of the Auckland Council District Plan – Hauraki Gulf Islands Section.