Forest & Bird advocates for kaitiakitanga amidst proposed resource management reforms

Forest & Bird has issued a warning regarding the Government’s proposed resource management reforms, suggesting that the new legislative framework could weaken essential protections for the environment across Aotearoa. According to reporting by Waatea News on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, the conservation organisation expressed concerns that the proposed Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill may shift costs onto communities and make it more difficult to safeguard local ecosystems. Acting General Counsel May Downing stated that the reforms risk penalising communities who work to protect habitats for native species such as kākā and kererū. A primary concern cited by the organisation is the potential removal of the requirement to identify and protect Significant Natural Areas, which are vital for indigenous vegetation and wildlife. Additionally, Forest & Bird noted that protections for urban trees appear to be missing from the proposed system, leaving green spaces in cities more vulnerable to development pressure. Regarding freshwater, the organisation warned that the lack of clear environmental limits could put rivers and wetlands under greater strain. Forest & Bird maintains that environmental bottom lines must be firm and not easily exceeded to ensure the health of wai (water), which is essential for community wellbeing, recreation, and farming. The group rejected the notion that New Zealand must choose between development and nature, arguing that infrastructure and housing can be delivered alongside the protection of landscapes and native species. For iwi and hapū, the stakes involve the future of whenua (land) and taonga species that are central to identity and whakapapa. Forest & Bird has released a guide to the legislation, emphasizing that decisions made today regarding kaitiakitanga (guardianship) will determine the environmental legacy inherited by future generations. The group argues that while simplifying the planning system is a valid goal, it should not come at the expense of the natural world.