Summary
In 2021, the New Zealand government released an exposure draft of the Natural and Built Environments Bill for publication. The bill is intended to replace the Resource Management Act 1991. The act upholds Te Oranga o te Taiao, a concept intended to express the importance to Māori of environmental health to current and future generations. Te Oranga o te Taiao also incorporates the heath of the environment, the intrinsic relationship between iwi and hapū and te taiao, the interconnectedness of all parts of the natural environment, and the essential relationship between the health of the natural environment and its capacity to sustain all life. The bill proposes a set of national policies to protect the ecological integrity of the natural environment and protect human health. The bill also includes a framework for natural and built environmental plans and improves recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and iwi/Māori interests.