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

Preliminary provisions

4: Purpose

You could also call this:

"What the Natural Environment Bill is trying to achieve"

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

This proposed law aims to create a framework for using, protecting, and improving the natural environment. You will see how it plans to balance the use of the environment with its protection. The goal is to enhance the natural environment for the future.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1520788.

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

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Town planning

3: Interpretation, or

"What special words in the Natural Environment Bill mean"

5: Transitional, savings, and related provisions, or

"Special rules to help when the Natural Environment Bill becomes law"

Part 1Preliminary provisions

4Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to establish a framework for the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment.