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  • Going for Housing Growth: Providing for urban development in the new resource management system

    Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Environment — Manatū Mō Te Taiao want to hear your views about the Going for Housing Growth Pillar 1 proposals and how they could work in the new resource management system. The Going for Housing Growth programme is part of the Government’s broader plan to tackle Aotearoa New Zealand’s ongoing housing shortage. It’s structured around three pillars that make system changes to... More
    Opened 18 June 2025

  • Infrastructure, development and primary sector national direction

    The Government is calling for feedback on proposals to change and inform development of national direction under the resource management system. Package 1: Infrastructure and development The Government’s aim is to make it easier for councils to plan and deliver infrastructure. This package contains proposals for four new national direction instruments and amendments to four existing national direction instruments. Instruments in Package 1: Infrastructure and... More
    Opened 29 May 2025

  • Freshwater national direction

    The Government is consulting on proposals to amend the: National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM) Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 (NES-F) Further consultation will be undertaken through an exposure draft process, which will have more detail, later this year. We are seeking feedback on proposals including: Rebalancing freshwater management through multiple... More
    Opened 29 May 2025

  • NZ ETS unit settings and annual regulatory updates 2025

    Consultation was held on the Government’s annual review of auction settings and other regulations for the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS). The NZ ETS supports Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its emissions reduction goals by putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses must provide a New Zealand Unit (NZU) to the government for every tonne of climate pollution they emit. Participants in the NZ ETS can purchase NZUs through government auctions held four... More
    Opened 28 May 2025

  • Have your say on proposed amendments to waste legislation

    The Government consulted on proposals to amend the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 (WMA) and the Litter Act 1979. We sought feedback on the following proposals for amending waste legislation: creating a framework for extended producer responsibility changes to how the waste levy is allocated to territorial authorities, and what they can spend the money on clarifying roles and responsibilities for central government, local government and the waste sector improving... More
    Opened 22 April 2025

  • Proposed product stewardship regulations for agrichemicals, their containers, and farm plastics

    The Government sought feedback on proposed regulations to enable a national take-back and recycling scheme for agrichemicals, their containers, and farm plastics. Read a short summary of the discussion document (PDF 333KB) Read the full discussion document (PDF 919KB) List of the consultation questions (PDF 169KB) Frequently asked questions on the proposals (PDF, 166KB) Discarded policy options This document gives an overview of the policy options... More
    Opened 31 March 2025

  • Opportunity to provide feedback to help shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2035 international climate change target

    Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement. NDCs are how countries contribute to the global temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, to hold the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. For more information on the 1.5°C goal, see the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on 1.5°C . The Ministry for the... More
    Opened 19 November 2024

  • Transboundary movement control of all e-waste under the Basel Convention

    The Government intends to implement a decision under the Basel Convention to better manage the international trade in e-waste. It proposed to introduce regulations to do so. The Government proposed to introduce regulations so that prior informed consent is also required to import or export non-hazardous e-waste under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004. Read the full consultation document (PDF 1MB) More
    Opened 31 July 2024

  • New Zealand’s second emissions reduction plan

    The second emissions reduction plan (ERP2) will outline the actions that we intend to take to reduce emissions in New Zealand during the second emissions budget period (2026 – 2030). The ERP2 is a key tool to bring the Government’s climate strategy to life. This consultation includes policy proposals that sit across the Government’s five priority areas of its climate strategy and focus on key sectors: energy, transport, agriculture, forestry and waste. Read a short summary... More
    Opened 17 July 2024

  • NZ ETS Unit Settings and Annual Regulatory Updates 2024

    Consultation was sought on the Government’s annual review of auction settings and other regulations for the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS). The NZ ETS supports Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its emissions reduction goals by putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses must provide to the government a New Zealand Unit (NZU) for every tonne of climate pollution they emit. Participants in the NZ ETS can purchase NZUs through government auctions held four... More
    Opened 15 May 2024

  • Fast-track approval applications

    The Fast-track Approvals Bill will include two Schedules of listed projects: Schedule 2 Part A Projects will be referred directly to an Expert Panel and will not go through the Ministerial referral process included in the legislation. Schedule 2 Part B Projects will still need to be referred by the Minister to the Expert Panel, but have demonstrated that they are regionally or nationally significant. This is the application form to have your project included in... More
    Opened 3 April 2024

  • Proposed National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-making

    The Government sought feedback on a proposed National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-making. This is a first step from central government to provide additional support for local government to manage risks to people and property from natural hazards such as floods, landslides and coastal inundation. Read the full consultation document (PDF 2.6MB) Read the Proposed National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-making 2023 . Read the Proposed National... More
    Opened 18 September 2023

  • Managing the use and development of highly productive land - Te whakahaere i te whakamahinga me te whanaketanga o ngā whenua whai hua

    The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought feedback on managing the use and development of highly productive land (HPL). Since the policy was introduced in 2022, two issues have been raised about its restrictions on the use and development of highly productive land for activities that don’t rely on soil. The two issues that were consulted on are a lack of a clear consent pathway for: Construction of new specified... More
    Opened 5 September 2023

  • Deferral of NZ ETS reporting obligations for animals–farmer activities

    NZ ETS date deferred for animal farmers On 2 October 2023 the Government deferred the date animal farmers must meet New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) reporting obligations, from 1 January 2024 to 1 January 2026. The deferral followed the Government’s August 2023 decision to progress work to ensure mandatory reporting of agricultural emissions by late 2024 and pricing of those emissions one year later. Consultation on the deferral of animal reporting obligations ... More
    Opened 18 August 2023

  • Helping nature and people thrive – Exploring a biodiversity credit system for Aotearoa New Zealand

    The Government is exploring whether a biodiversity credit system could help to incentivise the protection and restoration of native wildlife in Aotearoa New Zealand. A biodiversity credit system would help to conserve habitats and species by enabling landowners, who protect and restore native wildlife, to earn credits for their actions. The Ministry for the Environment and Department of Conservation (DoC) sought feedback on the need for and the design of a biodiversity credit... More
    Opened 7 July 2023

  • Improving our GMO regulations for laboratory and biomedical research

    The Government sought feedback on proposed changes to Aotearoa New Zealand’s legislation and regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) used in laboratory settings and for biomedical therapies. The proposals respond to concerns from the research community that current GMO regulations are hindering research and innovation. They aim to remove barriers to foster research and improve health outcomes. The consultation document presents 10 policy changes to: ... More
    Opened 3 July 2023

  • Quick submission - Te Arotake Mahere Hokohoko Tukunga - Review of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme

    The Government is reviewing the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) to make sure it’s fit for the job ahead. The review will focus on the benefits, trade-offs and risks of changing the NZ ETS so it can incentivise gross emissions reductions, but continue to support removals. It follows advice from He Pou a Rangi | Climate Change Commission. It recommended that the Government consider amending the NZ ETS to provide more robust support for gross emissions reductions... More
    Opened 19 June 2023

  • Te Arotake Mahere Hokohoko Tukunga - Review of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme

    The Government is reviewing the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) to make sure it’s fit for the job ahead. The review will focus on the benefits, trade-offs and risks of changing the NZ ETS so it can incentivise gross emissions reductions, but continue to support removals. It follows advice from He Pou a Rangi | Climate Change Commission. It recommended that the Government consider amending the NZ ETS to provide more robust support for gross emissions reductions... More
    Opened 19 June 2023

  • A redesigned NZ ETS Permanent Forest Category

    The Government sought feedback on proposals to manage afforestation by redesigning the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme’s (NZ ETS) permanent forest category. Last year the Government consulted on proposals to restrict permanent exotic forests in the New Zealand ETS in response to concerns about the impacts on the environment and rural communities from these forests. The proposals generated wide interest prompting the Government to further investigate changes to the permanent forest... More
    Opened 19 June 2023

  • Developing an exception from the low slope map for lower intensity farming - Te whakarite aweretanga mai i te mahere rōnaki heke mō te mahi pāmu ngāwari

    We sought feedback on options to amend stock exclusion regulations in relation to lower intensity farming systems. The low slope map, incorporated by reference in the stock exclusion regulations, was amended in 2022 to improve how it identifies low slope land and avoid capturing lower intensity farming in the high country. While these recent changes have largely addressed issues with low slope land identification, the map is still likely to capture some lower intensity farming... More
    Opened 19 June 2023

  • Annual updates to the NZ ETS limits and price control settings for units 2023

    The NZ ETS is a key tool in the government’s climate change response toolbox. It supports Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its emissions reduction goals by putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions. Unit settings are updated annually to ensure the NZ ETS remains an effective tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This consultation is on annual updates to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) unit settings for the period 2024–28. This is the third year that these... More
    Opened 19 May 2023

  • Ministerial Inquiry Land Use

    This Inquiry will look at past and existing land-uses. It will investigate: storm damage and its causes current practices regulatory and policy settings. It will include the impact of storm damage caused by woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment on communities, livestock, buildings, and the environment. It will also look at associated economic drivers and constraints. More
    Opened 13 March 2023

  • Review of the Resource Management (Infringement Offences) Regulations 1999

    Councils can issue ‘instant fines’ for breaches of environmental rules under the Resource Management Act that do not justify prosecution in court. The current infringement notice fines were set in 1999. They are now too low to discourage non-compliance with plan rules or consent conditions. This puts our environment at risk and is unfair to those New Zealanders who use our natural resources sustainably and within the law. We consulted on proposed options for changing the... More
    Opened 7 February 2023

  • Proposed changes to the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2013

    The Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2013 set hourly charge-out rates for certain functions and services. The current charge-out rates have not been revised since 2013 and are not recovering costs. We are proposing increases to those charge-out rates. The main parties affected are people and companies who: intend to apply for, or already have, marine consents under the EEZ Act undertake or intend to undertake... More
    Opened 1 December 2022

  • Improving market governance of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme

    The Government engaged with stakeholders about its proposals to improve governance of the market for New Zealand Units (NZU). This engagement sought feedback on the impact of treating NZUs as financial products, the leveraging of existing financial market legislation, and on alternative market governance proposals considered as part of the policy design phase. Read the consultation document (PDF 2.4MB) Proposed changes included: Using existing financial legislation... More
    Opened 17 November 2022

  • Proposed measures to reduce the environmental impact of fluorinated gases

    Fluorinated gases (F-gases) contribute significantly to global warming. This is because they are potent greenhouse gases, with global warming potential hundreds or thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide. F-gas refrigerants are found in a range of products such as heat pumps, dehumidifiers, vehicles, fridges and freezers. We sought feedback on proposed measures to reduce the environmental impact of fluorinated gases (F-gases). This included: a regulated product... More
    Opened 8 November 2022

  • Pricing agricultural emissions

    Update Read the report under section 215 of the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (PDF 905KB) The Climate Change and Agriculture Ministers published a report on the Government’s proposed system, a legislated requirement of the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA). The report outlines a system to put a price on emissions from agricultural activities as an alternative to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme. The proposed pricing system is based on the farm-level... More
    Opened 11 October 2022

  • Where to from here? How we ensure the future wellbeing of land and people

    Land is a taonga. It is intrinsically linked to the health of the wider environment and to people’s lives and livelihoods. For many years Aotearoa New Zealand’s land has been under pressure. If current trends continue, pressures on our land could increase – affecting both its health and the wellbeing of future generations. We asked for your input into our Long-term Insights Briefing on how we ensure the future wellbeing of our land and people. Read a short summary of the... More
    Opened 5 October 2022

  • Proposed changes to NZ ETS limit and price control settings for units for 2022

    Unit settings are updated annually to ensure the NZ ETS remains an effective tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We sought feedback on the impacts of proposed changes, including the Climate Change Commission's recommendations, on price controls and unit settings for New Zealand Units. Read the consultation document (PDF 812KB) Webinars We hosted two webinars where participants had an opportunity to hear more about the proposals and ask questions. View... More
    Opened 8 September 2022

  • Managing our wetlands in the coastal marine area

    Our wetlands in the coastal marine area are the interface of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Why we consulted The original policy intent of the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards) for Freshwater (NES-F) was to restrict activities likely to cause the loss or degradation of all natural wetlands including those in the coastal marine area. However, many councils and stakeholders initially interpreted the NES-F as applying only to natural inland wetlands... More
    Opened 10 August 2022
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