Creating our future: Sustainable development for New Zealand
New Zealand can evolve policies that will deliver the qualities of life we aspire to: we have innovative people, a robust democracy, a developed economy, abundant environmental resources, a love of 'team play', a growing sense of who we are, and a low population density. New Zealand can and will make the transition to a more sustainable pathway.
Sustainable development recognises:
- the finite reserves of non-renewable resources
- the limits of natural life-supporting systems (ecosystems)
- the interactions between environmental, social, and economic outcomes
- the well-being of both current and future generations.
In the period following the 1992 Earth Summit, New Zealand had the opportunity to become a leading light on sustainable development. However, current trends in consumption of energy and natural resources, production of waste, urban growth, biodiversity losses and biosecurity threats, land-use and water issues in rural and urban areas, and air quality in urban areas, are all signs that New Zealand is not functioning in a sustainable manner.
Successive governments have largely ignored the 1992 Agenda 21 commitments and have not provided the necessary leadership. Only in recent years has central government made any significant commitment to developing a New Zealand Strategy on Sustainable Development.
Other sectors, including individual local authorities, business organisations, and community groups have made progress with their own initiatives. They have tried to incorporate sustainable development principles into their policies and activities, and have encouraged others to do likewise. These local initiatives have made the biggest contribution to awareness of sustainable development in New Zealand.