New ZealandNew Zealand

PopulationPopulation 4.17 million4.17 million

Growth RateGrowth Rate 0.971%0.971%

Land AreaLand Area 268,680 sq km268,680 sq km

Annual GDPAnnual GDP $128.1 billion$128.1 billion

The CIA World Factbook 2008The CIA World Factbook 2008

Resource Management ActResource Management Act

• Adopted in 1991 following four years of research, discussion, and drafting

• Largest law reform process in national history– 20 major statutes and 50 other

environmental laws were replaced

PurposePurpose

“To promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources” (RMA, pg. 6)

VisionVision

“A clean, healthy and unique environment, sustaining nature and people’s needs and aspirations.”

PrinciplesPrinciples

• Sustainable development• Environmentally-harmful activities

should be avoided or mitigated• Social and economic benefits will not

outweigh environmental consequences in a cost-benefit analysis

• Environmental stewardship

Additional PrinciplesAdditional Principles

Polluter paysFinite characteristics of resourcesNeed for trout and salmon protectionHumans impact climate changeSupport for renewable energySupport for improved energy efficiencyPreservation of cultural and historical

heritage

ComprehensiveComprehensive

1. of large scope;

covering or involving

much; inclusive

2. comprehending mentally;

having an extensive mental range or

grasp.

ChallengesChallenges

• Deforestation• Loss of wetlands• Soil erosion• Invasive species• Air pollution• Climate change• Water shortages

Sea-level on the rise, time to plan for it

Tuesday, 29 July 2008, 11:19 amHon David Parker, Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues

“Climate change effects are gradual, but many land-use planning decisions have long-term implications because of the longer-life of infrastructure such as buildings or roads. As a result it is not only wise to consider climate change implications in coastal planning, it is a requirement under the Resource Management Act.”

IndicatorsIndicators

Monitored by the Ministry for the EnvironmentAir qualityGreenhouse gas emissions and

stratospheric ozoneFreshwater quality and allocationLand cover and land useIndigenous biodiversityEnergy demand

IndicatorsIndicators

Additional IndicatorsAdditional Indicators

EconomicIndicators

Social HealthIndicators

SystemicSystemic

1. of or pertaining to a system.

2. Physiology, Pathology.

(a) pertaining to or affecting the

body as a whole. (b) pertaining to

or affecting a particular body

system.

DevolutionDevolution

Implementation has been largely devolved to regional councils and to district and city councils.

DevolutionDevolution

Policy InstrumentsPolicy Instruments

New Zealand Green Plan

ImplementationResource Consent

EnvironmentalStandards

NationalPolicy

Statements

RegionalAnd

DistrictPlans

RegionalPolicy

Statements

Policy InstrumentsPolicy Instruments

DevolutionDevolution

Regional CouncilsRegional Councils

• There are 12 regional councils.• Responsibilities include:

– Managing the use of surface water and groundwater

– Discharge of contaminants onto land or into the air or water

– Effects of activities in coastal marine area– Invasive species in water bodies– Biodiversity– Soil conservation– Water quality/quantity– Infrastructure as it relates to land use planning

Regional CouncilsRegional Councils

Regional Policy StatementsRegional Policy Statements

• Statements must establish “a directional framework” for handling natural resource issues specific to that region.

• Statements must be reviewed within 10 years of implementation.

District and City CouncilsDistrict and City Councils

• There are 73 district and city councils.

• District councils are responsible for:– Managing the effects of land-use– Handling noise pollution– Mitigating the effects of various

activities on lakes and rivers

District and City CouncilsDistrict and City Councils

Regional and District PlansRegional and District Plans

• Plans are prepared to directly address issue-specific environmental problems that arise.

• Plans include detailed objectives, policies, and rules to mitigate the issue.

• Combined plans may be created to address cross-boundary issues.

• Plans are revised every 10 years.

Regional and District PlansRegional and District Plans

• Regional and district councils are encouraged to consider alternatives to regulation whenever possible.– Ex. Grants for home improvement

Resource ConsentResource Consent

• This process is used to grant permission for any activity that has an impact on the environment or any activity prohibited under existing law.

• Resource consents are granted by consent authorities including regional, district and city councils, and the Department of Conservation.

Resource ConsentResource Consent

Resource ConsentResource Consent

• 55,000 resource consents were processed between 2003 and 2004.

• Applications for resource consent require an assessment of environmental impact and in some cases a written approval from affected parties.

Resource ConsentResource Consent

Resource ConsentResource Consent

Resource ConsentResource Consent

After resource consent is granted, regional and district councils have the power to issue abatement notices.

Resource ConsentResource Consent

National Policy StatementsNational Policy Statements

• Minister of Conservation is required to make policy statements to direct activities in the coastal marine area.

• As necessary, the Minister for the Environment may also prepare policy statements on “matters of national significance” related to natural resources.

National Environmental National Environmental StandardsStandards• The Minister of Conservation

prepares standards that serve as regulations to guide resource consent.

• Standards:– Air quality– Drinking water quality

Source: WEF (2005), Global Competitiveness Report 2004/2005.

Overall Infrastructure Quality

AccountableAccountable

1. subject to the obligation

to report, explain, or justify

something; responsible; answerable.

2. capable of being explained; explicable;

explainable.

Environment CourtEnvironment Court

The Environment Court has the following powers:– Direct councils to change plans or policy

statements– Confirm, amend, or cancel resource

consents– Change abatement notices– Make or decline declarations or

enforcement orders– Award payments or issue fines

Environment CourtEnvironment Court

• Violation of any part of the Resource Management Act if an offense punishable with imprisonment for up to two years or a fine not exceeding $200,000.

• Decisions made in the Environment Court may be appealed to the High Court.

IntegrativeIntegrative

1. to bring together or incorporate

(parts) into a whole. 2. to make up,

combine, or complete to

produce a whole or a larger unit, as

parts do. 3. to unite or

combine.

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement

Based on the following principles:1. That decisions on environmental

matters are most appropriately made by the communities directly affected by those decisions;

2. That community participation is vital to effective resource management.

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement

Citizens, interest groups, and business leaders can participate in the regional and district plan preparation process by making a written submission.

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement

GovtGovt3 3 ProgramProgram

• Led by the Ministry for the Environment's Sustainable Industry Group, government agencies work together to share ideas and information in hopes of strengthening central government while increasing sustainability.

GovtGovt3 3 ProgramProgram

Consumer EducationConsumer Education

Business EducationBusiness Education

ReviewReview

• In 2004, the Minister of the Environment began a review of the Resource Management Act.

• For 18 months, the Ministry consulted with local government, industry, environmental organizations, and the community to ensure that all opinions were represented in the review.

ReviewReview

Speech to Local Government New Zealand Conference

Monday, 28 July 2008, 4:16 pmJohn Key MP, National Party Leader

“We will simplify and streamline processes around the Resource Management Act. We are also aware of the significant issues you face administering the Building Act, and we will work with you to resolve those. I can assure you that National will be talking in more detail about these issues closer to the election. “