Councils and Biodiversity

The involvement of councils across New Zealand, in encouraging and supporting biodiversity efforts in their communities, can make a significant contribution to maintaining biodiversity.

The Resource Management Act has always provided for "the life supporting capacity of ecosystems". Biological diversity (biodiversity) is a measure of "life" in ecosystems. From 1 August 2003, the Resource Management Act will contain specific provisions relating to "biodiversity", and will ascribe specific roles to Regional, District and Unitary Councils.

Many councils are now taking into account biodiversity outcomes in their biosecurity, environmental education, freshwater and coastal management programmes; and some are taking account of biodiversity in their asset management and other functions.

The new Local Government Act provides an opening for local government to exercise a wider sustainable development mandate. There is an opening to provide for biodiversity under this act, providing councils and communities understand how biodiversity underpins the wellbeing of the community and their environment.

The biodiversity management toolbox seeks to support councils in the exercise of all their functions, in such as way as to secure better biodiversity outcomes and community understanding and support.

Is there an issue?

The 1997 state of the environment report described biodiversity decline as New Zealand's most pervasive environmental issue. The New Zealand biodiversity strategy (1999-2000) proposed a goal of "turning the tide" in the decline of biodiversity by 2020. The strategy characterised the demand as being on all groups, all people, and all organisations across the country - a picture of activity well beyond that taking place on national conservation lands.

The strategy painted the broad picture, and the central government biodiversity funding provided starter-resources; but overall the strategy left unspecified what it might take, in detailed terms, to create the snowballing of effort required to "turn the tide" in biodiversity decline.

The evidence at present is that there are many local initiatives, but the quantum of effort is still well short of what might be required. Prof Bruce Clarkson (Waikato University) suggested our targets might yet be 5 to ten time lower than they need to be.

Interest in biodiversity is growing across the country, with many local restoration projects; an upsurge in demand for covenants; new central government funding; regional environmental enhancement funds; and initiatives by private landholders.

Some initiatives are strictly "private" or community based; but most biodiversity projects are at some level collaborative. Most projects require pest and weed control, and in many cases a level of coordination with regional or local pest and weed management programmes is needed. Consequently, local government often has some role.

Local government can set an enabling (or disabling) policy context. Local government can provide resources, align its operational programmes, and be a clearinghouse for expertise and ideas. Councils can be leaders.

Some councils and communities are already making effective contributions. But the efforts, and their effectiveness, are variable.