Forest & Bird has worked with local councils, private landowners, and iwi throughout the country to publish a new resource showcasing a selection of nature-based projects throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Each case study featured in Nō te ao tūroa ngā rongoā Choose nature-based solutions looks at the problem being solved, what has been achieved, and how the mahi offers multiple co-benefits for local communities.
Download and read Nō te ao tūroa ngā rongoā Choose nature-based solutions - then share.
Forest & Bird wants to see local councils and the government work with iwi, community groups, and private landowners to prioritise and accelerate the delivery of nature-based solutions throughout the country.
We are calling on the government to:
Establish sustainable funding of $300m per year for nature-based solutions. This contestable fund, modelled on the successful Jobs for Nature programme, would be available to councils, iwi, community groups, and private landowners.
Incorporate nature-based solutions in the upcoming National Policy Statement on Natural Hazards.
Choose nature-based solutions when making decisions on what to do with hazard-prone land under New Zealand’s adaptation framework. For example, if a flood plain is deemed inappropriate for housing, it should be restored to its original wetland habitat.
We would like local councils to:
Prioritise nature-based solutions in regional policy statements, regional and district plans, and long-term plans, as recommended by the government’s National Adaptation Plan.
Invest more in nature-based solutions for future community resilience. On average, unitary and regional councils allocate just 5.6% of their rates revenue for biodiversity spending. Forest & Bird wants to see this increase.