Indigenous biodiversity draft national policy statement released

The Government released its draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity last week. The draft NPSIB applies to all indigenous biodiversity including water bodies and freshwater systems.

It sets a bottom line for the maintenance of indigenous biodiversity. It requires territorial authorities to identify areas of significant indigenous vegetation and/or habitats and to classify those areas as significant natural areas (SNAs) to be managed through the RMA. The submission period closes on 14 March 2020 with the draft NPSIB intended to take effect from mid-2020.

Our preliminary view is that the Association will not be making a submission on behalf of members.