Background
We’re developing the next implementation plan for New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy (Te Mana o te Taiao – Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020). The plan will guide action for nature at a national, regional and local level.
Nature in New Zealand is unique and special. Most of it is only found here. Once our species are gone from here, they’re gone from everywhere.
Our nature is also among the world’s most vulnerable and is a critical economic asset, with ecosystems contributing 27% or $57 billion of GDP. We need to protect it.
We’re proposing 13 critical actions that central and regional government can take to make a difference for nature and empower all New Zealanders to take action.
Discussion document
The discussion document seeks your feedback on the proposed critical actions for the next implementation plan for the Biodiversity Strategy.
The proposed actions sit within four themes:
- Agreed biodiversity priorities are driving investment and action
What this means: We want to identify and agree on priority species and habitats. This is so we can focus our efforts and determine how best to work together to protect and restore them, regionally and nationally. - Increased external funding, revenue and support is delivering more work on biodiversity priorities
What this means: We want to attract investors and generate revenue for nature, and we want to make it easier for people to access government support. - An evidence- and knowledge-based approach is driving improvements in practice and decision making for biodiversity
What this means: We want to improve the data, knowledge and lessons from successful partnerships to drive good decision making and measure the difference we make for nature. - Increased capability and support enables New Zealand to address the state of our biodiversity
What this means: We want to develop the right skills and encourage people to work together to look after nature, including in the biosecurity space.
These actions would be the main focus of the implementation plan and the work completed by central and regional government between now and 2030.
New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy implementation plan discussion document (PDF, 4,072K)
Supporting documents
You can find the Minister of Conservation’s Cabinet papers and related advice supporting this proposal at Cabinet material and other documents.
Public webinars
You can join public webinars where we can explain these ideas and hear from you.
- Webinar 1 - Tuesday 20 May 2025, 6.30 – 7.30 pm Register now
- Webinar 2 - Monday 26 May 2025, 4 – 5 pm Register now
How to make a submission
Submit your feedback by 5 pm Monday 30 June 2025.
- Go to the discussion document and read the 13 proposed critical actions.
- Join one of the webinars if you would like more information.
- Make a submission.
You can provide your feedback online, or by email or post.
Online
The submission form is available in (Word, 156K) or (PDF, 1,200K). You can use your own structure and layout to make a submission.
Email your submission to biodiversitystrategy@doc.govt.nz
Post
Post your submission to:
Department of Conservation
PO Box 10420
Wellington 6143
Attention: Biodiversity Strategy consultation submissions
What happens next
We will consider all responses received through the submission process and use them to inform the development of the next Biodiversity Strategy implementation plan. The plan will be publicly released by the Minister of Conservation after Cabinet approval and submitted to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Other important plans for nature
We are also seeking feedback on the review of the Predator Free 2050 strategy review. Help us craft the next phase of the strategy.