A White-faced heron matuku moana stands elegantly on a wooden structure.

Biodiversity credits: An incentive to support conservation efforts

Introduction

Have your say on whether a biodiversity credit system could help protect and restore native wildlife. Submissions closed on 3 November 2023.

Summary of submissions

The Ministry for the Environment and Department of Conservation ran this consultation from 7 July to 3 November 2023 and received 276 submissions. See a summary of the submissions received on the Ministry for the Environment's website.

Consultation on a biodiversity credit system for Aotearoa New Zealand

We have thousands of native species under threat, or at risk of, extinction in Aotearoa New Zealand. Many of our most threatened species and habitats are found outside of conservation land. Despite best efforts, our biodiversity and ecosystems continue to decline. More investment from a broad range of sources could increase protection and restoration efforts.

The Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation are seeking public feedback on:

  • whether a biodiversity credit system should be introduced for New Zealand
  • how it could be set up to support trust in biodiversity credits
  • what role the Government could play in the system.

For more information, including a discussion document, visit Ministry for the Environment - Biodiversity credits: an incentive to support conservation efforts.

How to contribute

Consultation closed on 3 November 2023. 

Background information

A biodiversity credit system could help to conserve important habitats and species by enabling landowners who protect, restore and enhance native ecosystems to earn credits for their actions.

Private companies, charities, investors, philanthropists and others who wish to support biodiversity protection could buy biodiversity credits from landowners and choose to make certain claims about their positive impact, for example, in marketing.

Projects covered by a biodiversity credit system could relate to biodiversity on land such as:

  • whenua Māori, farms and other private land
  • waterways
  • catchment areas
  • the marine environment.

Activities a biodiversity credit system could support include:  

  • protecting or re-establishing forests
  • restoring wetlands
  • planting native trees and shrubs
  • creating buffer zones near protected habitats
  • connecting wildlife corridors.

Contact

Email the team at biocredits@mfe.govt.nz if you have any questions.