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 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 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 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 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.
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
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
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.
