Wikipedia

Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand)

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE; Māori: Manatū Mō Te Taiao) was the public service department of New Zealand charged with advising the New Zealand Government on policies and issues affecting the environment, in addition to the relevant environmental laws and standards. The Environment Act 1986 was the statute that established the Ministry. In mid-February 2026, the Sixth National Government announced plans to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment and merge it into the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT). In late May 2026, the New Zealand Parliament passed legislation formally disestablishing the Ministry for the Environment and transferring its statutory functions to MCERT, which came into existence on 1 July 2026.

Ministry for the Environment
Manatū Mō Te Taiao (Māori)
Agency overview
Formed1986
Dissolved2026[1]
Superseding agency
JurisdictionNew Zealand
Headquarters8 Willis St,
Wellington 6011
Annual budgetVote Environment
Total budget for 2019/20
Decrease$994,991,000[2]
Ministers responsible
Agency executive
  • James Palmer, Chief Executive and Secretary for the Environment
Websiteenvironment.govt.nz

Functions and responsibilities

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Functions assigned by Section 31 of the Environment Act 1986 include advising the Minister for the Environment on all aspects of environmental administration, obtaining and disseminating information, and generally providing advice on environmental matters. Since 1988, the Ministry of the Environment has coordinated New Zealand's interdepartmental policy response to climate change.[4]

Programs and initiatives

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The Ministry of the Environment has many key initiatives that help them support New Zealand and its environment.[5] It administers a number of environmental funds:[6]

  • Waste Minimisation Fund
  • Environmental Legal Assistance Fund
  • Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund

It runs the Green Ribbon Awards, which have been given out by the Minister for the Environment since 1990.[7]

The Ministry owns the Environmental Choice New Zealand ecolabel,[8] but it is administered independently by the New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust.[9]

Resource management system

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In response to the Ministry's establishment, the Resource Management Act 1991 was passed by the New Zealand Parliament in 1991 to provide the legal framework for resource management and environmental protection.[10] However, in 2023 the government is repealing the Resource Management Act to enhance new laws into this reform as a way of managing the environment and the pressing issue of climate change.[11]

The resource management system governs how people interact with natural resources.[12] It allows people to use natural resources where suitable.[12] This system is currently under some change. The new government in New Zealand has introduced a permanent fast-track approvals process to parliament and is repealing the Natural and Built Environment (NBA) and Spatial Planning Acts.[12] There has been some controversy around this bill and its lack of consideration for environmental impacts.[13]

Emissions reductions

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New Zealand aims to reduce all greenhouse gases (except methane emissions from waste and agricultural biological processes) to zero by 2050.[14]

The Ministry of the Environment has an emissions reduction plan (ERP) that outlines how New Zealand will reduce these emissions.[14] These plans are created every 5 years. The ERP requires climate action from many parts of government and sectors of the economy including, transport, energy, building and construction, waste, agriculture and forestry.[14]

National adaption plan

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The Ministry of the Environment has a national adaption plan that helps New Zealanders adapt, live and thrive in a more damaged and difficult climate.[15] This plan helps to support different groups of people including Māori and Pacific people.[15] The plan is currently focusing on flood risk areas and developing projects to support other climate change impacts.[15]

Recovering from recent severe weather events

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New Zealand has recently suffered from severe weather events caused by climate change. In 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle severely impacted the Hawke's Bay region.[16]

The Ministry of Environment is supporting these councils and communities with a significant recovery job as well as helping these communities become more resilient.[17] The main ways they are supporting these communities are by, changing laws, strong risk management and climate adaptation.[17]

Ban on more problematic plastics

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The Ministry of Environment classes problematic plastics as single-use plastics such as straws and produce bags.[18] They banned these products in 2023 as an initial step in the 3-step phase-out plan. In 2025, they are banning all PVC and polystyrene food and beverage packaging.[18]

History

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Origins

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As stated, the Ministry for the Environment was established under the 1986 Environment Act which was implemented to encourage preventive measures for the protection of the environment.[19] The Ministry for the Environment was established to ensure broad thinking about the environmental issues that plague our world and continue to do so even more severely in the 21st century. The measures the ministry for the environment take time to consider and focus on include intrinsic values of ecosystems, including principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, values people place on the environment, needs of future generations and sustainability of natural and physical resources.[20]

In 1997 the Ministry released New Zealand's first State of the Environment report.[21] This was followed up in 2008 by a second report titled Environment New Zealand 2007.[22] Chapter 13 of this report was removed before final publication but was leaked to the Green Party. After news media reported the existence of the omitted chapter, the Ministry placed the contents on its website.[23]

The Environmental Protection Authority was set up in 2011 to carry out some of the environmental regulatory functions of the MfE as well as other government departments.[citation needed]

Climate change policies

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The Ministry for the Environment has introduced several policies to address climate change and protect New Zealand's natural environment. The Zero Carbon Act, passed in 2019, sets a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.[24] The act established the Climate Change Commission, which is a crown entity that provides independent advice to the government on emissions reduction targets and strategies.[25] The commission has been criticised by Greenpeace for not going far enough when making recommendations for agricultural methane reduction.[26]

In July 2025, an independent reference group established by the Ministry released several recommendations for the Government's climate mitigation policies. These proposed policies included halting buy-outs for homes damaged by floods and other weather-related events over a 20-year transition period and adopting a "beneficiary pay" model towards adaptation measures such as flood schemes, sea walls and blue-green infrastructure. Victoria University of Wellington emeritus professor Jonathan Boston described the proposed phasing out of the Government's "buy out" policy for weather-damaged homes as "morally bankrupt."[27]

Agricultural policies

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In 2003 the Fifth Labour Government decided to attempt to introduce a levy on farm animals and their methane emissions, in order to fund research on how to reduce farm emissions. The levy would have cost 9c for mature sheep, 54c for each mature beef cow, and 72c for each dairy cow.[28] This was widely protested by farmers and the opposition. Eventually after sustained criticism, and unpopularity of the policy, on 17 October 2003 Labour said it found alternative sources to fund emissions research, and would not introduce the levy.[29]

In 2018, the Interim Climate Change Committee was established, to look at various options of agriculture pricing. As the combination of Methane (43.7%) and Nitrous Oxide (10.7%) emissions make up a majority of New Zealand's emissions,[30] reducing Agricultural emissions would be necessary to lower New Zealand's carbon footprint and currently policy left the majority of emissions untaxed. On 11 October 2022 the Sixth Labour Government announced its decision to pursue a farm-based levy,[31] with a backup ETS processor levy if the farm levy was not ready by 2025.[32] They also announced consultation on the policy, which lasted from 11 October to 18 November and were posted on 21 December 2022.[33] The processor levy backup under the ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) was where the levy would simply be decided by the ETS, and handed on to processors, such as slaughterhouses or importers and producers of fertiliser. Initially considered by the 2018 Interim Climate Change Committee, and this was left as a backup option, in case the farm-based levy was not in place by 2025.[32]

The other approach was the farm-based levy, this arose out of consultation with the agriculture sector and He Waka Eke Noa (Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership), seeking an alternative to pricing under the ETS at a processor level.[32] Under this the levy is paid by farmers themselves, and they are required to report their emissions. Of note of both methods is that Methane and Nitrous Oxide would be taxed separately and differently, as they have different effects and permanence in the environment and atmosphere.[32]  Additionally, the government committed to funding the agricultural sector, and $380 million to help farmers reduce emissions, among other funding.[31]

On 18 August 2023, the Sixth Labour Government announced the confirmation of the split-gas approach,[34] the commitment to have farm level emissions reported by late 2024, and various changes from consultation, such as the decision for carbon sequestration to give a reduction in the levy if it was scientifically valid. The National Party committed before the 2023 New Zealand general election to implement a sustainable pricing system for agriculture by 2030, and to start measuring farm level emissions by 2025 .[35] The National Party eventually formed a government after the 2023 election.

Dissolution

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In mid-February 2026, the RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and the Environment Minister Penny Simmonds confirmed the Sixth National Government would introduce legislation to dissolve the Ministry for the Environment as part of the Government's plans to merge the ministry's functions into the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.[36][37] Bishop said that the merger was needed to address a "fragmented and uncoordinated" bureaucracy. The Government's merger plans were criticised by University of Canterbury political scientist Bronwyn Hayward, who expressed concern that the merger could lead to the loss of "the threads of accountability, the skill, and cohesive delivery of effective policy." The Labour Party's environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking and the Green Party's environment spokesperson Lan Pham accused the Government of de-prioritising the environment.[38]

On 27 May 2026, the New Zealand Parliament passed legislation disestablishing the Ministry and transferring its statutory functions to MCERT. While the National Party and its ACT and New Zealand First coalition partners voted in favour of dissolution, opposition parties including the Green Party opposed the bill. The Greens' environmental spokesperson Lan Pham condemned the decision, stating:

"At a time when all our environmental outcomes across freshwater, air, biodiversity and oceans are going backwards, climate change is flooding communities week after week, costing billions of dollars, lives, and livelihoods, this Government's response is to dismantle the ministry responsible for environmental protection."[39]

On 1 July, MCERT formally came into existence, assuming the functions and responsibilities of the former Ministry for the Environment.[1]

Ministers

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The Ministry serves three portfolio and four ministers.[40]

OfficeholderPortfoliosOther responsibilities
Hon Nicola GriggLead Minister (Ministry for the Environment)
Minister for the Environment
Hon Simon WattsMinister for Climate Change
Hon Chris BishopMinister Responsible for RMA Reform
Hon Andrew HoggardAssociate Minister for the Environment

Efforts to incorporate Māori consultation and collaborative work

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The Ministry for the Environment recognises the importance of Māori consultation and collaboration in the work that they do with the tangata of Aotearoa. They recognise two key missions in their work which can be categorised as the consultation with Matauranga Māori, and work towards fulfilling obligations under Te Tiriti O Waitangi.[41]

Matauranga Māori

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This is defined as "the unique Māori way of viewing the world".[42] This and western science are seen as complementary knowledge systems, like strands in a braided river. An example of an initiative targeting this is the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity, guided by Hutia te Rito, which highlights the deep connection between people and nature, in turn emphasising the health of people, biodiversity, species, and ecosystems.[42] Another example is the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 reflects Te Mana o te Wai—the holistic well-being of water—placing water's health at the centre of decision-making. It promotes collaboration with tangata whenua and recognises connections from mountains to sea. Mātauranga Māori and its integration supports environmental reporting, legislation, and policy.[42]

Te Tiriti O Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) work

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The Ministry for the Environment plays a key role in addressing Treaty of Waitangi issues related to te taiao (the environment).[43] It leads or co-leads major Waitangi Tribunal inquiries, including Wai 2358 (freshwater and geothermal resources) and Wai 3325 (climate change).[43] The Ministry is committed to working collaboratively with iwi and hapū to develop policy responses to environmental concerns raised in these inquiries. It may also lead the upcoming kaupapa inquiry into Natural Resources and Environmental Management, which will cover a wide range of environmental issues, including pollution, fisheries, marine reserves, and the impacts of climate change and overfishing.[43]

See also

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Notes

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  1. 1 2 3 Ball, James (1 July 2026). "One entity to rule them all: What's in the Govt's new mega-ministry?". 1News. Archived from the original on 1 July 2026. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Total Appropriations for Each Vote". Budget 2019. The Treasury. 30 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Ministerial List". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  4. ↑ Ratnasiri; et al. (12 June 1996). "Report on the in-depth review of the national communication of New Zealand". UNFCCC. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Key initiatives". Ministry for the Environment. 16 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Sources of funding for projects and participation". Ministry for the Environment. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  7. ↑ "The Green Ribbon Awards". Ministry for the Environment. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  8. ↑ "About Environmental Choice New Zealand". Environmental Choice New Zealand. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "The New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust". Sustainable Business Council. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "Resource System management reform". Ministry for the Environment. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Resource System management reform". Ministry for the Environment. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 "What the Government is doing about the Resource Management System". Ministry for the Environment. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  13. ↑ "Environment ministry advice show flaws in Fast-Track Approvals Bill". Labour. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 "Emissions Reductions". Ministry for the Environment. 13 February 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 "National Adaptation Plan". Ministry for the Environment. 31 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "Hawke's Bay flood works". Ministry for the Environment. 7 June 2024.
  17. 1 2 "Recovering from recent severe weather events". Ministry for the Environment. 27 February 2024.
  18. 1 2 "Ban on more problematic plastics begins on 1 July". Ministry for the Environment. 30 June 2023.
  19. ↑ "Environment Act 1986". New Zealand Legislator. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  20. ↑ "About the Ministry for the Environment". Ministry for the Environment. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  21. ↑ The State of New Zealand’s Environment 1997 Archived 9 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Report Ref. ME612, Ministry for the Environment, Wellington, New Zealand.
  22. ↑ "State of Environment New Zealand report welcomed". New Zealand Government. 31 January 2008. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  23. ↑ "Ministry stands by decision to drop conclusion chapter Media release: 11 February 2008". Ministry for the Environment. 11 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  24. ↑ Dreaver, Charlie (7 November 2019), "Zero Carbon Bill passes final reading", RNZ, archived from the original on 16 April 2024, retrieved 20 June 2024
  25. ↑ "Climate policy detail: The Zero Carbon Act", Stuff, 11 September 2023, archived from the original on 1 December 2023, retrieved 20 June 2024
  26. ↑ Lo, Joe (9 June 2021), "New Zealand climate plan criticised over 'cow-shaped hole'", Climate Home News, archived from the original on 7 March 2024, retrieved 20 June 2024
  27. ↑ Newton, Kate (10 July 2025). "New Zealand climate report: Home owners face risks as buy-outs phase out, expert warns". The New Zealand Herald. Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  28. ↑ "Government in retreat over stock-gas tax". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Press Association. 30 August 2003. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  29. ↑ Dunn, Liam (17 October 2003). "Hodgson backs down on fart tax". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  30. ↑ "New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions". Stats NZ. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  31. 1 2 "Pragmatic proposal to reduce agricultural emissions and enhance exports and economy". Beehive. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Pricing Agricultural Emissions Ministry for the Environment. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  33. ↑ "Govt and industry take next step on agriculture emissions reduction plan". Beehive. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  34. ↑ "New emissions reduction plan will future-proof NZ's largest export sector". Beehive. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  35. ↑ McClay, Todd (18 August 2023). "National backs farmers to cut emissions". New Zealand National Party. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  36. ↑ "Bill paves way for MCERT". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  37. ↑ Daalder, Marc (17 February 2026). "New bill to disband environment ministry as part of agency merger". Newsroom. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  38. ↑ Corlett, Eva (24 February 2026). "Anger over plans to abolish New Zealand's dedicated environment ministry". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 February 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  39. ↑ "Ministry for the Environment officially scrapped in Parliament vote". Radio New Zealand. 27 May 2026. Archived from the original on 27 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  40. ↑ "Summary of Ministers and Cabinet portfolios". Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  41. ↑ Environment, Ministry for the (4 April 2025). "Te Ao Māori". Te Ao Māori The Māori world. Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  42. 1 2 3 Environment, Ministry for the (27 September 2023). "Mātauranga Māori and the Ministry". Mātauranga Māori and the Ministry. Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  43. 1 2 3 Environment, Ministry for the (28 March 2024). "The Treaty and the Ministry". The Treaty and the Ministry. Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved 18 June 2025.

References

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  • Wilson, Jim (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
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