Forest & Bird is warning the Government’s proposed resource management reforms could weaken environmental protections across Aotearoa, from native forests and freshwater systems to urban green spaces.
The conservation organisation says the proposed Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill risk making it harder for communities to protect nature while shifting more costs onto those trying to safeguard local environments.
Acting General Counsel May Downing says the reforms could penalise communities seeking to protect habitats for native species such as kākā and kererū.
Forest & Bird argues the changes will shape planning and environmental protection for decades and says the country now faces a choice between strengthening natural safeguards or allowing them to erode.
BIODIVERSITY PROTECTIONS IN THE FIRING LINE
One of Forest & Bird’s biggest concerns is biodiversity.
The organisation says the proposed reforms remove the requirement to identify and protect Significant Natural Areas, which have been used to recognise places with important indigenous vegetation and wildlife habitat.
It is also concerned that protections for urban trees appear to be missing from the proposed system.
For communities already confronting habitat loss and pressure from development, Forest & Bird says that could leave native species and important green spaces more exposed.
FRESHWATER LIMITS ALSO QUESTIONED
Freshwater is another major concern.
Forest & Bird says the reforms do not include clear freshwater limits and warns that without firm environmental bottom lines, rivers, wetlands and ecosystems could face greater pressure.
The organisation argues environmental limits are only effective if they cannot be easily weakened or exceeded.
Healthy freshwater systems are important not only for wildlife, but also for drinking water, recreation, farming and community wellbeing.
DEVELOPMENT VERSUS PROTECTION?
Forest & Bird is rejecting the idea that New Zealand must choose between economic growth and environmental protection.
It says homes, infrastructure and development can still be delivered while protecting rivers, wetlands, landscapes and native species.
The group’s concern is that the proposed reforms tilt the balance too far towards development and away from environmental safeguards.
That could create long-term costs if damage to ecosystems later requires expensive restoration or leaves communities more exposed to flooding, erosion and other environmental risks.
A DECISION WITH GENERATIONAL CONSEQUENCES
The debate over resource management reform is ultimately about what kind of development system Aotearoa wants.
Supporters of reform argue the current system is too slow, costly and complex.
Forest & Bird says simplification should not come at the expense of nature.
For iwi, hapū and communities, the stakes also include the future of wai, whenua and taonga species that sit at the heart of identity, wellbeing and whakapapa.
Forest & Bird has released a guide outlining its key concerns and the areas where it believes the legislation should be strengthened.
The organisation says the decisions made now will shape how much protection future generations inherit.
And its message is clear — faster development should not mean weaker protection for the natural world that communities depend on.
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