In 2023 we’re developing an Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy. Find out what’s happening and how to have your say.
Since 2022, Hutt City Council has been developing an Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy. Read the draft strategy here.
Biodiversity impacts our daily lives and quality of life. Healthy biodiversity with a range of species and habitats will help our community cope with the impacts of climate change, but we need a roadmap to get there.
This Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy will set a framework to guide Hutt City Council, Mana Whenua and the wider community in working together to protect and restore our indigenous biodiversity. The strategy sets a shared vision and goals to guide us and identifies focus areas where we can work together to make a difference.
It also connects and aligns us to other work happening at regional and national levels so we can ensure we are having the greatest collective impact.
This strategy will be supported by a series of implementation programs and plans which will bring this work to life. From revegetation planting projects to pest control and improving water quality, the finalised strategy will help us work to protect and restore our natural taonga for future generations.
This work began with a wānanga in late 2022, bringing together Mana Whenua and community groups to provide direction and scope, followed by a community survey and further conversations with Mana Whenua, groups and individuals interested in biodiversity.
The strategy provides an opportunity to create a new and innovative approach to cooperatively manage indigenous biodiversity throughout the city.
The strategy provides an opportunity to create a new approach to cooperatively manage indigenous biodiversity throughout the city.
In April 2023, we sought general public feedback on biodiversity values through a survey, and further discussions from community meetings. This, and the Wānanga, helped form the discussion document which contains many of the focus areas and priorities raised.
The Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy will provide strategic guidance to inform an action plan and implementation programmes related to indigenous biodiversity across Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt. This will influence protection and management of indigenous biodiversity on public and private land.
The National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB) will be the primary document driving biodiversity protection under central government legislation. It requires councils to work in partnership with Tangata Whenua to promote the restoration of indigenous biodiversity, indigenous vegetation cover and monitor native species. This strategy is a key part of how Hutt City Council is working to meet those goals.
Public consultation on the draft strategy has now closed. By the end of 2023, the finalised strategy will be approved by Council.
Ko te hiahia kia piripono kia Papatūānuku - We want nature to be a part of our lives.
Got a question? Email biodiversity@huttcity.govt.nz
Timeline
4 July 2023 | Draft IB Strategy and consultation approved by Climate Change and Sustainability Committee |
25 July | Draft IB Strategy and consultation approved by Council |
Late July – 20 August | Community consultation on Draft IB Strategy |
5 September | Report back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee on consultation feedback and proposed changes to Draft Strategy and Draft Action Plans |
3 October | Final IB Strategy and draft Action Plans approved by Council |
Late 2023 | Final version of the Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy released |