See also...Sustainability Resources
Key Findings on New Zealand's Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach: 2008
Statistics New Zealand brochure presenting key findings from Measuring New Zealand’s Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach: 2008. It addresses the issue of sustainable development using four main questions, which are answered by the results of 16 key indicators.
Sustainable Development: have we got our priorities right? (pdf 562kb)
This discussion document from the NZ Institute of Economic Research Inc (NZIER) considers New Zealand’s current sustainable development policy in light of international approaches to sustainability.
Information from the Ministry for the Environment on sustainability issues in New Zealand, including initiatives, implementation, and links.
Fit for the Future is one of the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) ‘2009 and Beyond’ Guides. This guide aims to help local authorities reflect a sustainable development approach in the planning, systems and documentation underpinning their LTCCP.
Website of the sustainable living programme, which has been developed by a partnership of several local councils across New Zealand with assistance from the Ministry for the Environment. Includes links to sustainability information from New Zealand and around the world.
The New Zealand government launched its Sustainable Development Programme of Action in January 2003 to ensure that sustainable development concepts underpin all government activity, and that government decisions ensure the well-being of current and future generations.
Sustainable Development publications
Publications from the Ministry for the Environment on sustainable development, including Sustainable Development Programme of Action publications, general publications and technical reports.
Climate Change Effects and Impacts Assessment Manual: A Guide for Local Government
This manual from the Ministry for the Environment provides the latest projections of the expected physical impacts of climate change, both at the national level and for regions around New Zealand. It is designed to help local government identify and quantify opportunities and risks that climate change poses for their functions, responsibilities and infrastructure. It also demonstrates how to incorporate climate risk assessment into local government regulatory, assessment and planning processes to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
Climate Change and Long-term Council Community Planning
Local authorities have a key role to play in New Zealand’s response to the climate change challenge. This Ministry for the Environment guide gives an overview of how to incorporate climate change into LTCCPs and provides links to more detailed information and guidance.
This guide includes information about what local government can do to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate, and things think about when bringing climate change mitigation into LTCCPs.
Climate Change and Long-term Council Community Planning - pdf version (pdf 320kb)
These documents are in pdf format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.
New Zealand government website on sustainability. Includes tips and information on how to maintain a sustainable lifestyle.
Government Sustainability Cabinet papers
The Ministry for the Environment website has a collection of Government Cabinet papers on driving sustainability in New Zealand.
The Ministry for the Environment runs the Govt3 programme that helps central government agencies become more sustainable. The Govt3 programme offers assistance to agencies to undertake sustainable initiatives including providing information, practical tools, and links to other agencies that have undertaken similar initiatives.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) aims to maintain and improve the quality of New Zealand's environment. The central focus is on environmental sustainability - how we can live within the ecological limits of the planet today and into the future.
PCE sustainable development links
Working Together in Thames-Coromandel: Guidelines for community planning
November 2005
How do communities set aside their differences and work towards environmental outcomes? This report draws some conclusions from the community planning process used in Whangamata, a coastal town in the Coromandel under intense environmental pressure. A range of complex issues and competing interests have had to be worked through.
Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy
The Auckland Regional Settlement Strategy attracts skilled migrants and supports their successful settlement, essential for the sustainable development of the Auckland Region. The Auckland Strategy contains a vision for the future, ten goals to support that vision, and specific proposals for making improvements to the way things are done.
Auckland Sustainable Cities Programme
The Auckland Sustainable Cities Programme was a three-year partnership from 2003-2006 involving the Auckland’s seven local councils, the Auckland regional council and a number of government agencies. The programme worked on critical sustainable development issues facing the Auckland Region. A booklet, Success in Sustainability (pdf 1.06mb), was produced documenting the key achievements of the programme.
These documents are in pdf format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.
Supporting Local Government - Existing Initiatives for Sustainable Development (pdf 550kb)
March 2008
Explores the partnership between central and local government, regarding sustainable development. This paper reviews key central government information support mechanisms which may directly or indirectly help local government and communities identify and realise sustainable development goals.
These documents are in pdf format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.
Sustainable Future is a research organisation specialising in issues affecting New Zealand. This website includes information on Project 2058 – developing a vision for New Zealand 50 years in the future and a strategy to get there.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Division for Sustainable Development
The United Nations Division for Sustainable Development provides leadership and is an authoritative source of expertise within the United Nations system on sustainable development.
Stretching the Web – sustainable development
Developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK to integrate sustainable development into policy-making and project work. Users rank their policy outcomes which are then displayed as a web, allowing for the easy identification of ‘bites’ or negative impacts of the policy. This enables policy makers to identify areas for further work, such as research or engagement with partners, to continue to develop the policy.
Energy and LTCCPs (pdf 98kb)
June 2003
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), provides advice and guidance to local authorities about how they may use LTCCPs under the Local Government Act 2002 to promote energy efficiency and conservation at the local and regional level.
These documents are in pdf format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.
A Framework for Developing Sustainable Communities – Discussion Paper (pdf 199kb)
November 2002
This Department of Internal Affairs discussion paper examines the role of strong, vibrant communities and iwi/hapü in achieving government’s social and economic development goals. The first part of the paper outlines a conceptual framework for better understanding the way in which strong communities contribute to the overall wellbeing of citizens. The second part proposes a framework for government investment in sustainable community development, and examines issues to be addressed in developing a collaborative investment strategy for working with communities.
These documents are in pdf format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.
Statistics New Zealand - Key Findings on New Zealand's Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach: 2008
Statistics New Zealand's report Measuring New Zealand’s Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach: 2008 looks at the question ‘How is New Zealand progressing towards or away from sustainable development?’.
This brochure presents key findings from that report. It addresses the issue of sustainable development using four main questions, which are answered by the results of 16 key indicators.
Statistics New Zealand report provides a selection of information related to sustainable development in New Zealand. The report provides some information to help inform choices that will enable further progress towards sustainable developmen
State of the Environment Report from the Ministry for the Environment providing accessible and relevant environmental information which can be used as a basis for decision-making.
The State of the Environment Report takes the pulse of the physical well-being of New Zealand’s land, water, air, plants and animals and measures the impact on the environment of transport, energy, waste, and consumption. It introduces benchmark environmental indicators as well as 80 specific measures to capture hard data which will be used to build up a clear picture of trends and pressures over time.
United Nations Indicators for Sustainable Development (pdf 775kb)
October 2007
United Nations Division for Sustainable Development guidelines and methodologies for sustainable development indicators
These documents are in pdf format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.
Population and Sustainable Development
The Population and Sustainable Development website is part of Sustainable Development for New Zealand: Programme of Action. It provides access to New Zealand population statistics published by a wide range of government departments and agencies.
United Kingdom Sustainable Communities Act 2007 - A Guide(pdf 153kb)
Provides a guide to the United Kingdom's Sustainable Commuities Act 2007. The Sustainable Communities Act aims to promote the sustainability of local communities. The Act begins from the principle that local people know best what needs to be done to promote the sustainability of their area, but that ometimes they need central government to act to enable them to do so. It provides a channel for local people to ask central government to take such action. It s also a new way for local authorities to ask central government to take action which they believe would better enable them to improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of their area.
These documents are in pdf format. You need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download a free version from the Adobe site.
