Significant Natural Areas reviewed

An upcoming review of Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) will examine how they are identified, assessed and managed.

In May, the government introduced a Bill that proposes to suspend requirements for councils to identify new SNAs to provide time for a review of SNA provisions in the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB).

Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard says the coalition government campaigned on the importance of individual property rights and it intends to deliver.

“In their current form, SNAs identified on private property limit new activities and development, and in my view, will likely undermine voluntary conservation efforts,” Hoggard says. “I want to make sure that the most unique environments are sensibly protected, without putting undue restrictions on land use change.”

The scope of the review was decided in discussions with the Ministers for the Environment, Conservation and Māori Crown Relations. Hoggard says officials will develop policy options and seek input from groups and individuals with in-depth technical knowledge, including ecologists, local government, Māori and landowners.

Any changes to the NPS-IB will be progressed as part of the government’s resource management reforms. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback early next year, with a final decision expected around mid-2025. 

“We want to give certainty as soon as possible,” Hoggard says.

SNAs are areas containing significant indigenous vegetation or significant habitat for indigenous fauna that must be protected to ensure the ongoing biodiversity in the district. Rodney has thousands of hectares of SNAs, which are classified as outstanding, high, moderate-high and moderate by Auckland Council.