Review of Significant Natural Areas Identification and Management Announced

In May, the Government introduced a Bill proposing to suspend the current requirements for councils to identify new SNAs.

The Government has outlined the scope of a review aimed at reconsidering how Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) are identified, assessed, and managed, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today.

In May, the Government introduced a Bill proposing to suspend the current requirements for councils to identify new SNAs. This suspension is intended to allow time for a comprehensive review of the SNA provisions within the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB).

Minister Hoggard stated that the Coalition Government is fulfilling its commitment to halt the implementation of new SNAs and re-evaluate their operation. The review will focus on the criteria used for identifying SNAs, the processes involved in their assessment and identification, and the management of land designated as SNAs.

"We campaigned on the importance of individual property rights and we intend to deliver," Minister Hoggard said. "Currently, SNAs identified on private property can limit new activities and development, which I believe could undermine voluntary conservation efforts."

The review will scrutinize the criteria and processes outlined in the NPS-IB for identifying SNAs. The goal is to ensure that New Zealand's most unique environments are appropriately protected without imposing unnecessary restrictions on land use.

Minister Hoggard confirmed that the review's scope was determined in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Minister of Conservation, and Minister for Māori Crown Relations. The review will involve developing policy options and gathering input from experts, including ecologists, local government officials, Māori representatives, and landowners.

Any proposed changes to the NPS-IB will be integrated into the Government's broader resource management reforms, which will include revisions to national policy direction. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback on these changes in the first quarter of 2025, with final decisions expected from Cabinet in mid-2025.

"We want to provide certainty to councils and communities as soon as possible," Minister Hoggard emphasized.