Focus area 2: Focus on restoring environments as Auckland grows

Auckland can use the processes of development and redevelopment to restore degraded ecosystems and places of cultural significance where appropriate. This is a key contributor to protecting and enhancing the environment.

Consistent population growth, and development to support this growth, has meant numerous areas and natural environments across Auckland have been degraded. Past activities or simple neglect has a lasting impact on the natural environment.

As growth and redevelopment happens in these areas opportunities arise to restore ecosystems and create new spaces for people to enjoy.

Onehunga foreshore restoration project

These opportunities need to be targeted, for example:

remediate residual contamination – as described on the Ministry for the Environment website
enhance and restore existing ecological systems – find out more about Auckland Council’s roles and commitments to deliver the environmental outcomes for Auckland at Auckland Growing Greener
create new habitats for flora and fauna – find out more about Auckland Council's Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy (PDF 4.11MB)
identify local opportunities, like stream daylighting, revegetation, and tree planting as part of development.

In turn, this can provide new natural environments for local communities to connect with and enjoy, further building and creating Auckland's shared cultural heritage.

The Auckland Plan - Environment and cultural heritage outcome: Open space

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How this can be done

We can:

better understand where and how our natural environments are degraded
actively seek out opportunities to restore environments and ecosystems as growth and redevelopment happens
set minimum expectations for new developments and the contribution they have to make
ensure the impacts and opportunities of our developments are integrated from the start, rather than having to invest further resource to fix up mistakes later.

Related information

More information about this outcome

Focus area 3: Account fully for the past and future impacts of growth

Photograph of the One Tree Hill summit and obelisk from inside Cornwall park.

Focus area 4: Protect Auckland’s significant natural environments and cultural heritage from further loss

A waterway with ducks runs through urban area.

Focus area 5: Adapt to a changing water future

Focus area 6: Use green infrastructure to deliver greater resilience, long-term cost savings and quality environmental outcomes

Photo of the beach and sea taken from high up on the hills.

Implementing the Environment and Cultural Heritage outcome

Conceptual graphic of Auckland landmarks such as the ferry terminal building, the sky tower, and a volcanic cone.

Environment and Cultural Heritage explained

Graphic depicting Auckland's natural environment.

Direction 1: Ensure Auckland’s natural environment and cultural heritage is valued and cared for

A sketch showing a vibrant Auckland with a strong Māori identity. It includes a waka in the Auckland harbour.

Direction 2: Apply a Māori world view to treasure and protect our natural environment (taonga tuku iho)

A visual showing a productive Auckland. It shows a cruise ship pulled up in the harbour, the port and cargo boxes.

Direction 3: Use Auckland’s growth and development to protect and enhance the natural environment

Direction 4: Ensure Auckland’s infrastructure is future-proofed

Focus area 1: Encourage all Aucklanders to be stewards of the natural environment, and to make sustainable choices

Focus area 2: Focus on restoring environments as Auckland grows

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