Biodiversity Programme

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is short for “biological diversity" - the number and variety of living things (animals, plants, insects, micro-organisms) found within a particular area and the complex relationships between them.

Why should we conserve biodiversity?

New Zealand’s native biodiversity is unique due to its isolation as small islands in a vast ocean. The high percentage of endemic species (those found naturally nowhere else in the world) makes this biodiversity both special and highly vulnerable.  It shapes our national identity and upholds our economy. We have an obligation to protect it for ourselves, our future generations and the rest of the world.

New Zealand’s native biodiversity is in serious decline. Although New Zealand was one of the last places on earth to be settled by humans, it has one of the worst records of native biodiversity loss. Fire, land clearance, overexploitation of resources and introduced species have had an increasingly negative effect on native biodiversity. As a result, dozens of species have become extinct and an increasing number are now threatened with extinction.

We also need to protect our biodiversity as it provides us with many ‘services’ such as water purification and regulation, creating and maintaining soils, nutrient cycling, pollination, valuable compounds (e.g. manuka oil) and regulation of local climates.

What is the Biodiversity Programme?

Environment Bay of Plenty has developed a programme to assist landowners with the protection of sites of biodiversity value across the Bay of Plenty. This programme is voluntary and landowners are not obliged to set these areas aside or manage them in any particular way.  

Larger sites may include parts of several land holdings where a group of landowners may wish to work together to protect the whole site. There will be many other places, such as small bush remnants that have not been identified as being of outstanding value but which are still of great significance to those who own them. If a landowner is keen to protect such a place, then we may be able to help there too.

We are also able to support community care groups who wish to carry out protection work on publicly owned land in their local area which has significance for them and their community.  In this case the landowner (the Department of Conservation or a district council for example) will need to be partners to any agreement.

In each case a management plan based on clear objectives is drawn up collaboratively by the landowner(s) and an Environment Bay of Plenty Land Resources staff member.  We can provide financial and technical assistance with the implementation of this plan.  In some situations it may be appropriate to include assistance from other agencies with an interest in biodiversity protection.

If a landowner doesn’t want to take this path, we are still always available to give advice.

What is involved in the long term protection of a site?

A covenant is generally required to protect the site long term.  There are a number of covenant options available. An information sheet explaining the various options is available from Environment Bay of Plenty staff.

What is involved in the management of a site?

In discussion with Environment Bay of Plenty staff, the landowner determines the ecological objectives for the site and agrees to a collaborative management plan and its associated works within a specified timeframe of up to five years.  Assistance and technical support is provided to carry out the agreed work but the landowner maintains ownership of the process.  Once the initial protection work is completed, continuing support and regular monitoring of the site is provided. Landowners are encouraged to take increasing ownership of the ongoing protection work and to seek additional sources of assistance. 

The native biodiversity of a site is likely to be under threat from one or more sources.  A number of interventions may be necessary to minimise those threats depending on the ecological objectives for the site:

• Stock may need to be excluded from the site which will usually involve fencing
• Animal predators and browsers and invasive weeds will often need to be controlled
• Restoration work such as enhancement planting may be required

Monitoring of the sites is provided and regular adjustment of control programmes may be required.

What support is provided?

We are able to provide:

• Information about the current ecological state of the site at no cost to the landowner
• Aerial photos, maps etc
• Management advice and technical expertise
• A management plan
• Financial support through grants.  The level of financial support will vary, depending on the nature of the site and the type of work required, ranging from 25 percent to 75 percent of the total cost
• Assistance and support in organising and implementing planned works
• Ongoing monitoring of protection work and ecological outcomes at no cost

What are the landowner’s rights and obligations?

All protected sites remain in the ownership of the landowner and no right of public access is created.

The landowner will ensure that the management work agreed to in the management plan is carried out.

What does the development of a Management Plan involve?

1.The landowner or care group contacts Environment Bay of Plenty Land Resources staff, from either the Tauranga, Rotorua or Whakatāne offices, with an expression of interest in the programme
2. A staff member will be allocated to discuss ecological objectives for the site and the outcome monitoring that is appropriate to assess progress 3. In consultation with Environment Bay of Plenty management, a decision will be made whether or not to proceed with a management plan
4. A management plan is developed for the site in close collaboration with the landowner or care group and possibly other agencies with an interest in the site
5. The management plan is signed by all parties and will include an initial programme of works for up to five years, the costs associated with those works and the way the costs will be shared,
6. A covenant is drawn up and signed by all parties
7. The landowner or care group applies for funding to begin the planned work
8. The staff member and landowner will meet regularly to discuss progress
9. Once the initial work is completed, the landowner maintains that work
10. Environment Bay of Plenty will monitor the work annually and also monitor the outcomes as required at no cost to the landowner
11. At the end of the agreed timeframe, the landowner, staff and any other agencies involved will review the management plan and its objectives and discuss management options for the future.

Other sources of assistance

Agency	Offers legal protection	Possible funding assistance	Offers management advice
Department of Conservation	Yes	Yes	Yes
Environment Bay of Plenty	Yes	Yes	Yes
District councils	Yes	Yes	Not generally
Nga Whenua Rahui	Yes	Yes	Yes
QEII National Trust	Yes	Yes	Yes
Natural Heritage Fund	No	Yes	No
Lottery Grants Board	No	Yes	No
NZ Landcare Trust	No	No	Yes

What's the next step?

If you want to find out more about setting up a Biodiversty Programme we have a number of highly skilled staff available to work with you. Start by contacting us at Environment Bay of Plenty and asking for a Land Management Officer in your area. You can call 0800 ENV BOP (368 267), email info@envbop.govt.nz or come in and see us at one of our offices.