Have your say on how we innovate and shape the future for thriving biodiversity

Introduction

Have your say on the draft Long-term Insights Briefing, developed by DOC and Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). Submissions closed Monday, 16 January 2023.

On this page:

About the consultation

The aim of this briefing is to enhance public debate and contribute to future decision making for improved biodiversity outcomes. 

In this consultation, we are asking if you think the draft Long-term Insights Briefing covers the key components needed to support a national conversation about potential tools for biodiversity management in the future.

Read the draft Long-term Insight Briefing (1,664K)

What is in the draft briefing?

The topic of the draft briefing is: “How can we help biodiversity thrive through the innovative use of information and emerging technologies?”

The draft briefing:

  • considers how new and improved information and emerging technologies could support Aotearoa New Zealand’s long-term vision for a thriving biodiversity;
  • demonstrates the opportunities for biodiversity presented by innovation, information and emerging technology by exploring;
    • satellite imagery and remote sensing;
    • artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies,
    • and genetic technologies.
  • considers options to support the safe and effective use of emerging technologies that could help address biodiversity decline.

Read a one-page consultation summary (PDF, 310K)

Options for safe and effective use of emerging technologies

Innovative use of technologies and information could offer new tools to reduce threats to our wildlife. But the systems that support these have a huge impact on their success or failure.

The briefing draft provides options to develop robust systems and build trust so people feel comfortable with our use of these tools.

This includes options to:

  • align with te ao, mātauranga and tikanga Māori
  • encourage community engagement and participation
  • strengthen funding and investment
  • support trust through oversight, transparency, risk assessment and ethical frameworks
  • build global partnerships

What informs the draft briefing

The topic of the briefing was confirmed after public consultation in November 2021.

Its contents reflect what we heard during consultation on the topic, and the research used to inform it. It also reflects what we heard at a workshop held with Treaty partners and stakeholders.

We reflected on research on the following to inform the thinking of the briefing:

  • the past and present states of biodiversity,
  • global mega trends likely to shape the future, and
  • emerging technologies.

More information

Why we focussed on technology and information

Technology and information drive some of the most important changes in our world.

They develop quickly and have the potential to transform how we protect nature. They may greatly improve what we know about, and what we can do to protect biodiversity.

We are open to the possibilities these tools present – as we hope they may offer breakthrough opportunities to protect nature in the future.

We’re working with LINZ

This consultation is a partnership between DOC, and LINZ.

How to have your say

To have your say, read the document. Then answer the following questions either online, by email or post.

The questions are a guide only. We welcome any comments you would like to make on this consultation. You might find it helpful to think about what biodiversity management could look like in Aotearoa New Zealand in the future.

Step 1: Read the draft

Read the draft Long-term Insight Briefing (1,664K)

Step 2: Consider the following questions

  1. We suggest the following technologies could support the protection of biodiversity. What other technologies could be game-changing for biodiversity?
    • Satellite imagery and remote sensing
    • Artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies
    • Genetic technologies
  2. What aspects of these technologies should be taken into account when considering their use?
  3. Are there ways you could use these tools at an iwi or community level?
  4. How should we build stronger international relationships?
  5. What areas of biodiversity could Aotearoa New Zealand provide global leadership in?
  6. Are you aware of any work overseas we could adopt or adapt for Aotearoa New Zealand?
  7. If we decide to use emerging technologies, how can we build social license, cultural licence and trust to support their safe and effective use?
  8. How much of a role should government have in biodiversity protection?
  9. How involved should community and iwi groups be in biodiversity protection?
  10. How can government best collaborate with others?
  11. How can we ensure the diverse voices and views of the community are represented in a biodiversity conversations?
  12. What could the guiding principles for decision-making about information and biotechnology look like, and who should be involved in developing these?
  13. What are the key data issues that the government will need to think about to get the foundations right for using data-driven and emerging technologies?
  14. What areas should we put funding or resourcing into, and why?

Step 3: Submit your feedback by 5 pm, 16 January 2023

Prepare your comments or responses to the questions above, and submit them: 

If you have any questions or would like to receive updates about progress and future engagement opportunities, please email LTIB@linz.govt.nz

Privacy

Be aware any submission you make will become public information, and anyone can ask for a copy of all submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA states that the information must be made available unless there is a good reason for withholding it.

If you think there are grounds for withholding specific information in your submission, let us know.

Possible reasons include the information being commercially sensitive or personal. Any decision made to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may require the information to be released.

What happens next

Your feedback will inform the development of our final Long-term Insights Briefing.

The final Long-term Insights Briefing will be presented to Parliament by late 2023.

Learn more about Long-term Briefing Insight processes

Process to date

We have taken the following steps for this consultation:

Step 1: Research and discussions to understand the drivers and trends in biodiversity

We worked with a range of experts inside and outside of government. This work showed technology was an important driver that could be game-changing for nature protection.

Step 2: Public consultation

In October 2021 we consulted on a proposed topic for the briefing. Most submissions supported the topic. However, submitters also noted the need for:

  • understanding the risks of using technologies,
  • good governance and decision-making to support its use.

Step 3: Options for potential futures workshops

In March 2022, we held a futures-thinking workshop. We used a scenario-sketching tool to produce options for potential futures. We also created a log of risks and opportunities.

The most common insight was that the systems that support the use of technology and information have a huge impact on its success or failure.

Step 4: Topic wording updated

Based on consultation feedback, the proposed topic was refined to: How can we help biodiversity thrive through the innovative use of information and emerging technologies?

This was changed from: ‘How can innovation in the way we use information and emerging technology help biodiversity thrive?’

Step 5: Draft Long-term Insights Briefing prepared

We prepared this draft using:

  • insights from consultation,
  • the futures-thinking workshop, and
  • research that included a background analysis.

The draft demonstrates the opportunities that may be found through innovation, information, and emerging technology.

It explores satellite and remote sensing, data-driven technologies such as Al, and genetic technologies.

Read more on how we developed the draft briefing (PDF, 365K)

Contact

If you have any questions email us. 

Email: LTIB@linz.govt.nz

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