The Public Service environment sector preserves Aotearoa New Zealand’s forests, mountains, waterways and fauna.

Ministry for the Environment staff visit and talk to farmers about Essential Freshwater. Photographer Sarah Perriam.

Tā te rāngai taiao mahi What the environment sector does

The environment sector works together to protect and preserve New Zealand’s natural resources, and helps others to do the same. The Ministry for the Environment is the Government’s primary adviser on environmental matters and takes a stewardship role, while the Environmental Protection Authority regulates activities that affect our environment. The Climate Change Commission provides independent, evidence-based advice to the Government on climate issues, and the Department of Internal Affairs works with local government authorities who regulate resource use and promote the environmental wellbeing of communities. The Strategic Planning Reform Board leads the development of new legislation as part of resource management reforms.

The Department of Conservation runs programmes to protect and restore the land’s species and ecosystems, while the Ministry for Primary Industries works with the agricultural industry and horticulture producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the expansion of forests. Maritime New Zealand is responsible for the environmental protection of coastal and inland waterways, as well as oil pollution response, and Antarctica New Zealand carries out New Zealand’s activities in Antarctica, supporting world leading science and environmental protection. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport leads work on biofuels, electric vehicles and alternative fuels that can help New Zealanders travel with minimal carbon emissions.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority supports and promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources, while Land Information New Zealand works to make sure our resources are used carefully and sustainably so they stay healthy for future generations. The Outdoor Access Commission provides leadership on outdoor access issues, while Taumata Arowai, the Water Services Regulator, is committed to ensuring all communities have access to safe drinking water.

The physical environment of Aotearoa New Zealand is recognised as living taonga in te ao Māori. Preserving these treasures is the environment sector’s goal.

Ngā kaimahi o te rāngai taiao Who works in the environment sector

The environment sector employs:

  • policy professionals in areas that affect our ecosystem, such as regulating the introduction and use of hazardous substances and new organisms
  • coordinators to manage the volunteers who help with conservation efforts
  • rangers and trappers, who look after our nation’s forests
  • scientists, to monitor and research issues affecting the environment
  • experts, including geologists, biologists and meteorologists.

Ministry for Primary Industries Forest and Land Use Advisor out in the field.

Ngā painga o te rāngai taiao mō Aotearoa How the environment sector benefits New Zealand

The environment sector brings together industry, Māori and other organisations to coordinate efforts on issues like climate change and ecosystem preservation. The work the sector does to preserve and protect our environment gives New Zealanders and visitors to our country the opportunity to engage with our natural spaces and native species.

The sector also works to ensure New Zealand’s future generations can continue to enjoy our natural resources and explores alternatives to current practices.

Ngā whakahaere rāngai taiao Environment sector organisations

These are the main Public Service organisations that support Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment sector.

  • Antarctica New Zealand (New Zealand Antarctic Institute)

    Antarctica New Zealand is a Crown Agent that carries out activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, supporting world-leading science and environmental protection. It supports collaboration between the New Zealand scientific community and international scientists on research to better understand Antarctica, including its ecosystem dynamics and its role in climate change and sea level rise.

    Sectors

    Environment

    International and trade

    Chair

    Sir Brian Roche, Chair

    Website

    antarcticanz.govt.nz

  • Te Papa Atawhai | Department of Conservation

    The Department of Conservation (DOC) runs programmes to protect and restore New Zealand's species, places and heritage. It provides opportunities for people to engage with these treasures through participation in outdoor recreation. DOC collaborates with iwi on the conservation of lands and waters, preserving our environment for future generations. It helps people in New Zealand experience the enrichment of connecting with nature.

    Sectors

    Environment

    Leader

    Penny Nelson, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Papa Atawhai | Director-General of Conservation and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    doc.govt.nz

  • Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

    The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) issues birth and death certificates, marriage licences and passports for people. It manages the New Zealand Archives and the National Library, preserving our nation’s heritage for future generations. DIA works with local government all around the country, helping councils to be good stewards of their natural resources and support their communities effectively.

    Sectors

    Central agencies

    Cultural

    Environment

    Leader

    Paul James, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Taiwhenua | Secretary for Internal Affairs and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Website

    dia.govt.nz

  • Te Tari Tiaki Pūngao | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority

    EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) is a Crown Agent that encourages, promotes and supports energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable sources of energy. EECA addresses New Zealand’s energy-related emissions (around 40% of New Zealand’s total) through co-funding, regulation and motivating people. EECA receives some of its funding from levies collected from the road transport fuel, electricity and gas sectors.

    Sectors

    Business

    Environment

    Chair

    Elena Trout, Chair

    Website

    eeca.govt.nz

  • Te Mana Rauhī Taiao | Environmental Protection Authority

    The Environmental Protection Authority is a Crown agent responsible for regulating activities that affect the environment and health of New Zealanders. This includes:

    • hazardous substances and waste
    • ozone-depleting substances
    • new organisms
    • the environmental effects of certain activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf
    • the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

    Its vision is “An environment protected, enhancing our way of life and the economy”. Its work supports the efficient, effective, and transparent management of Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment and its natural and physical resources. It also enables New Zealand to meet its international obligations under environmental treaties and agreements. 

    Sectors

    Environment

    Chair

    Colin Dawson, Chair 

    Website

    epa.govt.nz

  • Toitū Te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand

    Land Information New Zealand is the lead organisation for property and location information, Public Service property and managing overseas investment. Its responsibilities include managing survey systems and topographic information, working across land, sea, data and regulatory areas. It helps guarantee the property rights of people in New Zealand by running the survey and title system.

    Sectors

    Business

    Environment

    Leader

    Adrienne Meikle, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Toitū Te Whenua | Secretary for Land Information and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    linz.govt.nz

  • Nō te rere moana Aotearoa | Maritime New Zealand

    Maritime New Zealand is a Crown Agent that leads and supports the maritime community to take responsibility for making sure our seas and inland waterways are safe, secure and clean for everyone. It licenses and certifies seafarers and commercial operations, educates the maritime community and plays a role in both enforcing regulations and investigating accidents.

    Sectors

    Border

    Environment

    Transport

    Security

    Chair

    Jo Brosnahan QSO, Chair

    Website

    maritimenz.govt.nz

  • Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries

    The Ministry for Primary Industries manages and regulates the farming, fishing, food, animal welfare, biosecurity and forestry sectors of New Zealand's primary industries. It helps ensure the food we produce is safe, increases sustainable resource use and protects New Zealand from biological risk.

    Sectors

    Border

    Business

    Environment

    International and trade

    Leader

    Ray Smith, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Ahumahi Matua | Director-General of Primary Industries and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    mpi.govt.nz

  • Manatū Mō Te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment

    The Ministry for the Environment is the Public Service’s primary adviser on environmental matters, taking a long-term perspective on environmental issues. It helps New Zealand to be a better steward of our natural environment, working in areas such as resource management, waste minimisation and protecting people from hazardous substances and new organisms.

    Sectors

    Environment

    Leader

    James Palmer, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Taiao | Secretary for the Environment and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    environment.govt.nz

  • Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport

    Te Manatū Waka is the system lead on transport. It provides advice about how the transport needs to change to support the New Zealand economy and the transport needs of New Zealanders. It works in partnership with a number of transport agencies covering air, sea and land to help keep the transport system moving.

    Sectors

    Border

    Environment

    International and trade

    Security

    Transport

    Leader

    Audrey Sonerson, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Waka | Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    transport.govt.nz

  • Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa | the Outdoor Access Commission

    The Outdoor Access Commission Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa is the Crown agent responsible for providing leadership on access to the outdoors. It administers a national strategy on outdoor access, including tracks and trails. It maps outdoor access, provides information to the public, oversees a code of responsible conduct in the outdoors, helps to resolve access disputes and negotiates new access.

    Sectors

    Environment

    Chair

    Don Cameron, Chair

    Website

    walkingaccess.govt.nz

  • Spatial Planning Board

    The Spatial Planning Board leads the development of new strategic planning legislation, as part of the Public Service’s resource management reforms. The Board works to change how New Zealanders make decisions about the environment, allowing for better resource regulation, infrastructure provision and climate change response.

    Sectors

    Environment

    Housing

  • Taumata Arowai | Water Services Regulator

    Taumata Arowai is a Crown agent that works to ensure all communities have access to safe drinking water every day. It protects people and communities from serious health risks due to the quality or quantity of drinking water and supports the water services sector to improve its performance and environmental outcomes. This includes overseeing the protection of the environment from the impacts of wastewater and stormwater.

    Sector

    Environment

    Health

    Chair

    Dame Karen Poutasi DNZM, Chair

    Website

    taumataarowai.govt.nz