Their purpose – why they are here

Aotearoa – he whenua mana kura mō te tangata – to make New Zealand the most liveable place in the world.

To make New Zealand the most liveable place in the world, they need their environment to prosper.

They are incredibly lucky to have a wealth of natural resources at their doorstep – good access to water, productive land and a rich biodiversity. Over a thousand years, their culture, society and their economy have been built on the back of their environment and, for many, it’s why they want to live, work and visit here. 

But they are nudging up against environmental limits. Pressure is mounting on their waterways, marine environments and land. A growing population, booming agribusiness sector and growing tourism industry mean if they keep taking out more than they put back in, they are heading for irreversible damage.

They need to care for and invest in their natural resources, understanding the consequences of their decisions, and making wise choices that will benefit future generations.

An agency for the environment, and agents of change

Their job as an organisation is second to none; making sure that their amazing corner of the world stays that way. In a 100 years’ time they want to be the most liveable place imaginable, backed by evidence of their natural capital and what it takes to achieve sustainable prosperity. The whole country will be behind them.

And it is them – a collection of individuals – that will make it happen.

They look across the natural resources system to connect and mobilise all New Zealanders to make decisions that not only protect, but improve their natural resources.

Partnerships are key. They are working alongside all sorts of people and organisations to: improve fresh water quality, soil and ecosystems; move to a resilient and low-emission economy; have healthy air and sustainable, liveable cities; and be world-leading in how they manage their oceans.

What do they do? (their unique value proposition)

They connect, engage, influence and mobilise action across New Zealand to care for, manage and invest in their natural resources wisely, so their environment thrives along with their economy and people.

How do they do it?

They work with New Zealanders to create change and they are at the cutting edge of policy. They inspire, they listen, they engage, they invest, they provide the evidence, they make connections, and they monitor the system to see what’s working. They drive constant improvement across the environmental and natural resources systems.