This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Natural Environment Bill

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Breaking down the Natural Environment Bill into smaller parts to understand it"

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

The Natural Environment Bill is a proposed new law. You will see how it is organised. The Bill starts with a title and a commencement clause. This clause says when the Bill comes into force. Some parts come into force on a special transition date. The Bill explains what some words mean. It also says what the Bill is for: to help protect the natural environment. There are rules about how the Bill affects the government. The Bill talks about the Treaty of Waitangi and how it applies. The Bill has many parts and schedules. These schedules cover things like natural resource permits and coastal matters. They also talk about water and freshwater farm plans. One schedule lists the laws that include a statutory acknowledgement as part of Treaty settlements. Another schedule shows the changes to other laws that this Bill would make. You can see that the Bill has many clauses and schedules. These clauses and schedules work together to create a framework for the natural environment. The Bill is a proposed change to the law, so it would make new rules if it is passed.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1520774-clause-by-clause-analysis.

This page was last updated on 14 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Climate and energyEnvironment and resources > Farming and fishingEnvironment and resources > Town planningMāori affairs > Treaty of WaitangiGovernment and voting > Government departments

Regulatory impact statement, or

"A document to help the Government make good decisions about the Natural Environment Bill"

1: Title, or

"The Natural Environment Act 2025: a law to protect our environment"

Clause by clause analysis

Clause 1 is the Title clause.

Clause 2 is the commencement clause. It provides that the Bill comes into force on the day that it receives Royal assent with the exception of the provisions specified in clause 2(1), which come into force on the specified transition date (as defined in clause 4(5) of Schedule 1 of the Planning Bill).

1Preliminary provisions

Clause 3 defines terms used throughout the Bill.

Clause 4 states that the purpose of the Bill is to establish a framework for the use, protection, and enhancement of the natural environment.

Clause 5 and Schedule 1 provide for transitional, savings, and related provisions.

Under clause 6, the Bill binds the Crown. This clause also outlines instances when the Crown is not subject to the Bill.

Clauses 8 to 10 provide for the Crown’s responsibilities in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi/te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty) and for the treatment of existing Treaty redress or arrangements.

2Foundations

3Combined plan and other matters

Clause 91 provides that the combined plan requirements set out in clauses 63 and 64 of the Planning Bill apply to this Bill (clause 1).

4Natural resource permits

Clause 126 provides for how to apply the Planning Bill to provisions of this Part.

5Key roles

6Enforcement and other matters

There are 8 schedules, providing for matters relevant to the Bill as follows:

Schedule 1 applies the transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1 of the Planning Bill:
Schedule 2 describes the information that is required to support natural resource permit applications:
Schedule 3 sets out provisions relating to coastal matters:
Schedule 4 sets out provisions relating to water conservation orders:
Schedule 5 sets out provisions relating to freshwater farm plans:
Schedule 6 sets out a list of the Acts that include a statutory acknowledgement as part of the redress provided in Treaty of Waitangi settlements:
Schedule 7 sets out the amendments to other legislation required as a result of the changes proposed by this Bill.