RRI Green Planning Archives: New Zealand
Environmental Policy Review
(current to 1995)

New Zealand: Special Areas of Concern

The following list was developed from various publications of New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment.

Species Extinction/Biodiversity Loss

Soil Erosion

Deforestation

Waste Management

Urban Environment

Climate Change

Because it is an island nation remote from the larger land masses, New Zealand's flora and fauna have evolved in relative isolation. Many of its plant and animal species are endemic and rare; they are also increasingly threatened by habitat loss and the introduction of exotic species. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of native species extinction in the world; half of its endemic bird species have become extinct and 500 species of animals and plants are currently threatened. Species extinctions and loss of biodiversity are closely linked to the alteration or destruction of much of New Zealand's indigenous habitat, including native forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coastal ecosystems. For example, 90 percent of New Zealand's wetlands have been drained or degraded. In addition, the country has suffered a severe decline in some fish stocks due to overfishing. Reducing the threats to ecosystems from pests, weeds, and diseases is a major environmental priority for New Zealand.

Approximately 50 percent of New Zealand's land area shows some signs of erosion; of that, half is moderately to severely eroded. Some erosion occurs naturally, due to the country's steep topography, while some is caused by human activities such as deforestation, farming of marginal land, and overgrazing. Other threats to soil include loss of fertility, compaction, pollution, and urban development. Unsustainable agricultural practices such as intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, the clearing of native forests for farming, and the farming of marginal land have been responsible for many of the environmental problems related to soil. Today these practices are in decline because they are no longer subsidized by the government.

It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of New Zealand was once forested. With the arrival of European settlers, land was cleared for farming and settlement, and a timber industry was developed. By 1983, only 23 percent of the indigenous forest cover remained. {Source: Buhrs and Bartlett} The loss of so much indigenous forest cover has contributed to problems of soil erosion and species loss. New Zealand has committed itself to maintaining and enhancing its remaining indigenous forests.

Poor hazardous waste management and disposal practices have resulted in more than 7,000 potentially contaminated sites throughout New Zealand, more than 1,500 of which involve high risks. Clean-up costs for the high-risk sites alone have been estimated at more than $600 million. {Source: Buhrs and Bartlett} Some of these sites are potentially major threats to local water supplies. In addition, waste disposal and sewage treatment in a number of urban areas is inadequate, and appropriate landfill sites are becoming scarce. New Zealand's per-capita domestic waste generation is among the highest in the world. {Source: Buhrs and Bartlett}

Approximately 80 percent of New Zealand's population lives in or near cities. This urban concentration has resulted in problems of congestion, the need for improved mass transit, locally severe air and water pollution, inadequate waste and sewage disposal practices, housing shortages, and land-use conflicts.

New Zealand's overall contribution to the greenhouse effect is insignificant. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are low in comparison with other OECD countries, primarily because New Zealand generates 70 percent of its electricity supply from hydropower. However, New Zealand's per-capita CO2 contribution is higher than the global average, and the amount of energy it consumes per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) is higher than the OECD average-almost 60 percent higher in 1992. While other OECD countries are decreasing their rate of energy consumption per GDP unit, New Zealand's is increasing. The transport sector and energy-intensive industries are the main contributors to overall CO2 emissions. New Zealand's relative energy prices are lower than the OECD average. {Source: OECD climate change initiatives}

Although its contributions to global climate change and depletion of the ozone layer are minimal, New Zealand is likely to suffer disproportionately from the potential effects of these problems. Its location makes it particularly vulnerable to the Antarctic ozone hole, which may be responsible for an increase in the occurrence of skin cancers in New Zealand. Additionally, most of the country's inhabited areas and economic infrastructure are in low-lying coastal areas and would thus be vulnerable to any rise in sea level due to global warming. {Source: Cronin}

New Zealand ratified the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in September of 1993. Its primary objective is to cap and maintain CO2 emissions at their 1990 level by the year 2000. If possible it hopes to reduce CO2 emissions by 2000 to 20 percent below their 1990 level, and even further by 2010, but will not do so unless the measures used to obtain these goals meet the following conditions:

• Be the most cost-effective
• Provide the greatest range of benefits regardless of climate change
• Not reduce New Zealand's competitive advantage in international trade
• Have a net benefit for New Zealand's society

{Source: OECD clim. change}

New Zealand is in the process of developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The government has initiated reforms of the energy sector, and measures have already been implemented to reduce CO2 emissions and increase carbon sinks. The strategy will also address energy efficiency, further development of renewable energy sources, and transport issues.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, established in 1992, is developing a multi-sectoral strategy to increase energy efficiency. Individual programs targeted to the commercial and industrial sector include a "best practice" program and programs to develop the energy services sector. Programs targeted to consumers include proposed mandatory performance standards and energy use labels for some domestic appliances, low-income energy assistance, and assistance with energy-efficient housing design. Possible actions in the transport sector include fees and rebates for new vehicles based on fuel efficiency, mandatory emissions testing, and mandatory fuel economy labeling. The Building Industry Authority is developing building energy performance standards for residential and commercial buildings.

Despite its already well-developed sources of renewable energy (primarily hydropower and geothermal), New Zealand has committed itself to further development of renewables, particularly wind energy. The wholesale electricity market is currently being restructured to ensure markets for renewables, and the government is increasing its investment in research on renewable energy sources.

{Source: OECD clim. change}

Although it is not a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, New Zealand's rate of energy efficiency leaves room for further improvement. Although there have been indications that the increase in its energy consumption per unit of GDP is leveling off, the growth of energy-intensive industries, an increasing dependence on road transport, and relatively low energy prices (including a comparatively low rate of taxation) will drive CO2 emissions higher unless efficiency is increased.