Setting the path, together
Environmental health goals show us what we are aiming for and highlight what we need to achieve to get there. Our group assessed the current state of key attributes β such as native wildlife and water quality β and identified the direction of change needed to realise our vision for the future. Thinking about the pressures identified, we developed βpressure reduction objectivesβ that show what we need to get on top of in order to achieve these goals.
Increase the abundance of native wildlife
Key attribute: Native taoka wildlife
Indicators: Species threat status, population stats, observations, birdsong, 5-min bird count
Pressure reduction objectives
π Reduce introduced predator mammal populations (stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats, hedgehogs, possums, mice, feral cats)
πΆ Improve environmental conditions for mahika kai and enable safe use
βοΈ Avoid clearing and change to native vegetation
βοΈ Avoid clearing, draining or filling of wetlands
π£ Reduce introduced fish interactions with non-migratory galaxiids
γ°οΈ Assist tuna kuwharuwharu (longfin eel) migration and kanakana (lamprey) migration
Maintain or improve water quality
Key attribute: Water quality (lakes, rivers, groundwater)
Indicators: Lake trophic level index, national objective framework band, water quality parameter trends
By 2035, river and lake water quality is maintained or improving from the 2025 baseline, supporting healthy freshwater ecosystems.
Pressure reduction objectives
π² Reduce wilding conifer seed sources, infestations and re-infestations
πΆ Improve environmental conditions for mahika kai and enable safe use
β Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, microplastics - in stormwater
π½ Avoid wastewater discharge to freshwater
π Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, agrichemicals β from land use entering freshwater
π¬ Reduce knowledge gaps
Improve freshwater ecosystem function
Key attribute: Freshwater ecosystem function
Indicators: Aquatic life and ecosystem processes
By 2035, aquatic weed impacts are reduced and in places are eliminated. Incursions are promptly delt with, and deepwater lake functional biodiversity is maintained or improved from the 2025 baseline.
Pressure reduction objectives
π¦ Reduce the risk of new freshwater invasive organisms establishing
πΏ Contain and remove lagarosiphon
πΆ Improve environmental conditions for mahika kai and enable safe use
βοΈ Avoid clearing, draining or filling of wetlands
β Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, microplastics - in stormwater
π½ Avoid wastewater discharge to freshwater
π Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, agrichemicals β from land use entering freshwater
γ° Assist tuna kuwharuwharu (longfin eel) migration and kanakana (lamprey) migration
π¬ Reduce knowledge gaps
Improve the abundance and accessibility of mahika kai
Key attributes: Mahika kai health & accessibility
Indicators: Presence, abundance, diversity, and safety
By 2035, mahika kai species are increasing from the 2025 baseline, wΔhi mahika kai (cultural food and resource gathering sites) are safe for use by mana whenua, and kaitiakitaka by mana whenua is supported.
Pressure reduction objectives
π Reduce introduced predator mammal populations (stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats, hedgehogs, possums, mice and feral cats)
π¦ Reduce the risk of new freshwater invasive organisms establishing
πΏ Contain and remove lagarosiphon
π² Reduce wilding conifer seed sources, infestations and re-infestations
πΎ Reduce terrestrial weeds (gorse, broom, willows, sycamores, lupins, yellow flag iris, buddleia, cotoneaster)
πΆ Improve environmental conditions for mahika kai and enable safe use
βοΈ Avoid clearing and change to native vegetation
οΈβ Avoid clearing, draining or filling of wetlands
β Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, microplastics - in stormwater
π½ Avoid wastewater discharge to freshwater
π Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, agrichemicals β from land use entering freshwater
γ° Assist tuna kuwharuwharu (longfin eel) migration and kanakana (lamprey) migration
Increase overall native vegetation coverage and improve condition
Key attributes: Native vegetation coverage and condition (beech, shrub, tussock, riparian, submerged, wetland)
Indicators: Coverage, succession, threatened plants, canopy cover, biomass, submerged plant index
By 2035, native vegetation cover and condition is improved compared to 2025, showing growth and succession with more taoka (treasured) plants present.
Pressure reduction objectives
π² Reduce wilding conifer seed sources, infestations and re-infestations
πΎ Reduce terrestrial weeds (gorse, broom, willows, sycamores, lupins, yellow flag iris, buddleia, cotoneaster)
πΆ Improve environmental conditions for mahika kai and enable safe use
βοΈ Avoid clearing and change to native vegetation
οΈβ Avoid clearing, draining or filling of wetlands
π Reduce introduced herbivore populations (goats, pigs, rabbits, hares, possums)
Maintain or improve wetland coverage and function
Key attributes: Wetland coverage and function
Indicators: Coverage, hydrology measures
By 2035, wetland number, size, and function increase, with no further losses from the 2025 baseline. Wetland ecological and hydrological functioning, and resilience are apparent as part of the whole-catchment system.
Pressure reduction objectives
π Reduce introduced predator mammal populations (stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats, hedgehogs, possums, mice and feral cats)
π² Reduce wilding conifer seed sources, infestations and re-infestations
πΎ Reduce terrestrial weeds (gorse, broom, willows, sycamores, lupins, yellow flag iris, buddleia, cotoneaster)
πΆ Improve environmental conditions for mahika kai and enable safe use
βοΈ Avoid clearing and change to native vegetation
οΈβ Avoid clearing, draining or filling of wetlands
π Reduce introduced herbivore populations (goats, pigs, rabbits, hares, possums)
Maintain or improve naturally uncommon ecosystems (NUEs)
Key attribute: Naturally uncommon ecosystems
Indicators: NUE number, coverage, threatened species presence
By 2035, the extent and function of NUEs is maintained to at least the 2025 level. NUEs are actively managed to protect and support the persistence and recovery of rare and threatened plants and wildlife.
Pressure reduction objectives
π Reduce introduced predator mammal populations (stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats, hedgehogs, possums, mice and feral cats)
Reduce wilding conifer seed sources, infestations and re-infestations
πΎ Reduce terrestrial weeds (gorse, broom, willows, sycamores, lupins, yellow flag iris, buddleia, cotoneaster)
βοΈ Avoid clearing and change to native vegetation
βοΈ Avoid clearing, draining or filling of wetlands
γ° Assist tuna kuwharuwharu (longfin eel) migration and kanakana (lamprey) migration
π¬ Reduce knowledge gaps
Strengthen ki uta ki tai (interconnectedness)
Key attribute: Interconnectedness
Indicators: Nutrient fluxes, riparian/wetland continuity, connectivity, fish passage, downstream integrity
By 2035, landβwater connections are stronger than in 2025, benefiting ecosystems from mountains to coast.
Pressure reduction objectives
π Reduce introduced predator mammal populations (stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats, hedgehogs, possums, mice and feral cats)
π¦ Reduce the risk of new freshwater invasive organisms establishing
πΏ Contain and remove lagarosiphon
Reduce wilding conifer seed sources, infestations and re-infestations
πΎ Reduce terrestrial weeds (gorse, broom, willows, sycamores, lupins, yellow flag iris, buddleia, cotoneaster)
πΆ Improve environmental conditions for mahika kai and enable safe use
βοΈ Avoid clearing and change to native vegetation
βοΈ Avoid clearing, draining or filling of wetlands
π Reduce introduced herbivore populations (goats, pigs, rabbits, hares, possums, deer, chamois and tahr)
π£ Reduce introduced fish interactions with non-migratory galaxiids
β Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, microplastics - in stormwater
π½ Avoid wastewater discharge to freshwater
π Reduce contaminants - sediments, nutrients, pathogens, agrichemicals β from land use entering freshwater
γ° Assist tuna kuwharuwharu (longfin eel) migration and kanakana (lamprey) migration
π¬ Reduce knowledge gaps
We looked at the current health of our environment and imagined the future we want to see.
Out of the gap between where we are now and where we want to be, we set goals to strengthen biodiversity, restore freshwater, protect wetlands, and safeguard cultural resources β supported by objectives that tackle the most urgent pressures.
