Implementation partners
Mana whenua, 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,
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 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, undertakes waste management and waste minimisation programmes, education and monitoring, and funding of grants for environmental enhancement.
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 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, quality urban design and future-proofed 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 Growing Greener
Auckland Growing Greener (PDF 9.95MB) prepared by the Auckland Council, is an ongoing initiative to restore and protect the environment while providing for the vitality and energy that a growing population brings. It has been developed in consultation with mana whenua, and anticipates a partnership model to develop and deliver identified commitments.
Low Carbon Auckland
Low Carbon Auckland prepared by the Auckland Council, together with key industries and partners, this is a strategy for transitioning Auckland to a liveable, low carbon future.
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 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 restoration, protection and management.
Asset Management Plans
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.
How to get involved
Supporting information
State of Environment Reporting (PDF 9.2MB) 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.
The
Hauraki Gulf Forum publishes an independent State of the Gulf report every three years.
Ministry for the Environment's long-term environmental goals
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.
