Change in native vegetation cover across New Zealand as a whole by environment type and level of protection.

First developed for the previous ‘protection’ outcome. It is now an indicator of the single outcome.

1st report provided.

Used Land Environments of New Zealand (LENZ) database and the New Zealand Land Cover (LCDB) database.

Ministry for the Environment began updating LCDB (its third update).

2nd report due but not able to be provided as the updated LCDB3 not yet available.

2nd report will be made if LCDB3 is available on time.

Thereafter reported every 5 years.

Will show trend in percentage cover of native vegetation.

Track trends in benefits New Zealanders seek and receive from the natural, historic, and cultural heritage managed by the Department.

First developed for the previous ‘appreciation outcome’. It is now an indicator of the single outcome.

Tools developed and applied.
1st report provided and benchmark set.

2nd report provided.

Showed trend in how New Zealanders view the benefits.

To be reported on every 3 years.

Next report due in 2011.

Track the relative value of conservation as an indicator of support for conservation.

First developed for the previous ‘appreciation outcome’, and further developed through the values survey commissioned by the Department in 2006–2007. It is now an indicator of the single outcome.

1st report provided.

2nd report provided.

Values survey provided baseline information. Conservation values monitor trial begun.

3rd report provided using results from a pilot that translated questions from the 2006–2007 survey into a cost-effective framework that will enable ongoing measurement of New Zealanders’ conservation values.

4th report due.

Will cover trends in the value New Zealanders attribute to conservation.

Change in indigenous vegetation cover on conservation land by environment type.

First developed for the previous ‘natural character’ intermediate outcome.

1st report provided.

Used LCDB.

Baseline established.

Ministry for the Environment began updating LCDB (its third update).

2nd report due, but not able to be provided as updated LCDB3 not yet available.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be carried over into the natural heritage monitoring framework, under objective 5 in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012. This is expressed as ‘proportion of environmental unit under indigenous cover and protected’.

Next report due if LCDB3 is available.

Thereafter to be reported every 5 years.

Change in size-class structure of selected indigenous dominants
in particular places
within forests on
conservation land.

First developed for the previous ‘natural character’ intermediate outcome.

1st report provided.

Focused on two contributing indicators:

• Size-class structure
• Representation of specific species or functional groups

Contributing indicator group expanded from 2 to 5 indicators, under a 3-year work programme.

3-year work programme on contributory indicators due for completion.

Next report due in 2011.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be carried over into natural heritage monitoring framework under objective 4 in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012. This is expressed as trends in ‘size-class structure of selected canopy dominants’.

Monitoring the status of, and trends in the condition of, the marine reserves managed by the Department.

This indicator is part of an ongoing programme of monitoring marine reserves. It is being further developed to improve national consistency.

Indicator developed.

Annual reports on selected aspects of the reserves.

1st report provided.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be carried over into natural heritage monitoring framework, which has a series of indicators in objectives 1–5 that apply across terrestrial, freshwater
and marine ecosystems and species.

Increase in biosecurity and/or pest management responses by Biosecurity New Zealand to incursions/pests adversely affecting conservation values, as a direct response to the Department’s biosecurity advice and advocacy.

First developed as an indicator of the previous ‘harmful organisms’ intermediate outcome.

1st report provided.

2nd report provided.

3rd report provided.

Cabinet approved the transfer of most of the Department’s biosecurity functions to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, so this indicator is no longer relevant and has been discontinued.

Change in the number of extinct species or subspecies (both confirmed and assumed extinctions).

First developed for the previous ‘risk of extinction’ intermediate outcome.

1st reported
in 2004.

Threat Classification System prepared in 2001. Species list was reassessed
in 2004.

Review of Threat Classification System methodology began.

Review of Threat Classification System methodology completed.

Begin 3-year cycle of reassessing one taxonomic group at a time.

Reassessment of taxonomic groupings continues.

Reassessment of taxonomic groupings will continue.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be carried over into natural heritage monitoring framework under objective 3 in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012. This is expressed as ‘trends in the number of indigenous species that are extinct’.

Projected date of next report is 2011, once all groups have been reassessed.

Change in the threat classification status of managed ‘acutely threatened’, ‘chronically threatened’ and ‘at risk’ species or subspecies.

First developed for the previous ‘risk of extinction’ intermediate outcome.

1st reported in 2004.

Updated information on 2004 report provided.

Review of Threat Classification System methodology completed. Terms ‘acutely threatened’ and ‘chronically threatened’ removed.

3-year
re-listing cycle using updated methodology began.

Reassessment of taxonomic groupings continues.

Reassessment of taxonomic groupings will continue.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be incorporated into natural heritage monitoring framework under objective 3 in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012. This is expressed as trends in the ‘number’ and ‘security’ of ‘threatened’ and ‘at risk’ species.

Projected date of next report is 2011, once all groups have been reassessed.

Trends in the percentage of the most at-risk environment types (freshwater and terrestrial) under legal protection from year
to year.

First developed for the previous ‘representative range’ intermediate outcome.

Percentage of lowland forest areas in protection.

1st report provided.

Baseline data established.

2nd report provided.

Showed trends in the percentage of the most at-risk environment types under legal protection from year-to-year (using underlying LENZ data), with the least represented types clearly identified.

3rd report provided.

4th report provided.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be incorporated into natural heritage monitoring framework under objective 5 in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012. Measures will be of trends in proportions of environmental units under indigenous cover and protected, and trends in the ‘proportion of threatened naturally uncommon and significantly reduced habitats protected’.

Percentage of wetland areas in protection.

1st report provided.

Baseline data established for palustrine and inland saline wetlands.

Priority ranking system established.

2nd report provided.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be incorporated into natural heritage monitoring framework under objective 5 in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012. Measures will be of trends in proportions of environmental units under indigenous cover and protected, and trends in the ‘proportion of threatened naturally uncommon and significantly reduced habitats protected’.

Progress of regional planning forums to implement the Marine Protected Areas Policy to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas that is comprehensive and representative of New Zealand’s marine habitats and ecosystems.

Indicator developed following government approval of Marine protected areas: classification, protection standards and implementation guidelines (Ministry of Fisheries and Department of Conservation, 2008).

1st report provided.

For 2009–2010, indicator will be incorporated into natural heritage monitoring framework, under objective 5 in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012. This will be expressed as trends in the ‘proportion of environmental units in marine protected sites’.

Change in the percentage of historic assets in ‘improving’, ‘stable’ and ‘degrading’ categories.

First developed for the previous ‘historic and cultural heritage’ intermediate outcome.

Indicator developed.

Baseline data gathered.

1st report provided.

Benchmarks established in each category.

2nd report due on the trend in assets in ‘improving’, ‘stable’ and ‘degrading’ categories.

Not provided.

Change in Department’s asset management information system (AMIS) identified need to revise the indicator.

3rd report due but not provided because necessary changes to AMIS not made.

This indicator was revised for 2009–2010 and beyond.

Revised indicator introduced in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012: ‘Change in percentage of key heritage sites that are classified as “stable” or “deteriorating”’.

1st report due.

Change in the number of historic sites that meet ICOMOS standards.

First developed for the previous ‘historic and cultural heritage’ intermediate outcome.

Indicator developed.

Baseline data gathered.

1st report provided.

Benchmarks established.

2nd report due on the trend in the number of historic sites that meet ICOMOS standards.

Not provided.

Change in Department’s AMIS identified a need to revise the indicator.

3rd report due but not provided because necessary changes to AMIS not made.

This indicator is discontinued.

Change in the number of sites for which key history has been safeguarded.

First developed for the previous ‘historic and cultural heritage’ intermediate outcome.

Indicator developed.

Baseline data gathered.

1st report provided.

Benchmarks established.

Target for 2010 established.

2nd report provided.

3rd report provided.

This indicator was revised for 2009–2010 and beyond.

Revised indicator introduced in the Statement of Intent 2009–2012: ‘Increase in the number of key heritage sites at which core history is safeguarded, the values are identified, and these values are communicated’.

1st report due.

Due date for target.

Change in New Zealanders’ understanding of important conservation issues.

First developed for the previous ‘awareness and understanding’ intermediate outcome.

1st report provided.

Baseline data established.

2nd report provided.

3rd report provided.

Trend in New Zealanders’ understanding of important conservation issues.

4th report provided.

5th report due.

Change in the quality of the Department’s engagement with
key associates.

First developed for the previous ‘awareness and understanding’ intermediate outcome.

1st report provided.

Baseline data established.

2nd report provided.

3rd report provided.

Trend in quality of the Department’s engagement with key associates.

4th report provided through qualitative research with key stakeholders.

5th report due.

Change in the satisfaction of tangata whenua with the Department’s activities to assist them to maintain their cultural relationships
with taonga.

First developed for the previous ‘awareness and understanding’ intermediate outcome.

1st report provided.

Baseline data established.

2nd report provided.

3rd report provided.

Trend in tangata whenua satisfaction with the Department’s activities to assist them to maintain their cultural relationships with taonga.

4th report provided.

5th report due.

Change over time in New Zealanders’ participation in recreation on public conservation land and their satisfaction with the quality and range of recreational opportunities provided.

Expansion of previous indicator for ‘recreation’ intermediate outcome. Added a measure of ‘participation’, as this is a better indicator of access, rather than the ‘satisfaction’ levels of people already on site.

2nd report provided on original indicator: ‘Change over time in visitor satisfaction with the range of recreation opportunities provided’.

1st report provided on expanded indicator.

No report due.

Indicators for 2009–2010 revised to separate measures for trends in participation and satisfaction levels.

1st report due on new indicators.

Indicators to be developed for this outcome during 2008–2009.

Indicator development on hold pending completion of the Department’s commercial framework. This was due to be presented early in the 2009–2010 year.

Indicators based on commercial framework to be ready for 2010–2011.