WWF strongly supports the vision and objectives of Te Mana o te Taiao - Aotearoa New Zealand's Biodiversity Strategy.
While we broadly support the themes and critical actions identified in the Government's implementation plan for this strategy, we believe these are not sufficiently detailed, prioritised, or ambitious enough to address the scale of the challenge we face.
The vision of Te Mana o te Taiao is to reverse decades of biodiversity decline, mobilise resources and people, and place nature at the heart of our national priorities. What is needed to deliver this is a strategic, transformational Implementation Plan that matches the scale of the challenge. We can’t wait to make a ‘plan for a plan’; we need to have a sense of urgency and ambition that inspires us to do more. Without a transformative approach grounded in conservation outcomes and a clear roadmap for where we need to go, New Zealand risks failing to meet both the goals of Te Mana o te Taiao and its international obligations.
The Government must prioritise bold, immediate actions that directly address key pressures on biodiversity, properly fund the Department of Conservation, include marine biodiversity as a core focus, and integrate clear accountability mechanisms and monitoring milestones. It must reflect the fundamental principle that nature is a foundational pillar of our wellbeing, economy, and identity. We hope the Government will seize this opportunity to lead with integrity, ambition, and urgency—delivering a truly meaningful Implementation Plan that can safeguard Aotearoa’s unique natural heritage for generations to come.