Unlocking New Zealand's environmental information
Image source: View of New Zealand from the Internationl Space Station, NASA
High-quality environmental information is essential for good decision-making, effective environmental management and public accountability. Yet New Zealand's environmental information system is fragmented and often difficult to access and use. Throughout his tenure, the Commissioner has repeatedly highlighted these challenges.
Unlocking New Zealand's environmental information outlines how better collection, management and use of environmental information could support more effective responses to New Zealand's environmental challenges. This report examines how environmental information is collected and managed across New Zealand. The report identifies major challenges, including fragmentation, duplication, data gaps, inconsistent standards and a lack of system-wide leadership.
The report also highlights the potential of innovative technologies, such as remote sensing, automated monitoring, environmental DNA, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure and communications technologies, to improve how we understand and manage our environment. However, it concludes that technology alone is not enough. Better coordination, stronger governance and long-term investment are also needed.
"If we are to give ourselves a fighting chance of facing the environmental challenges that are starting to place our economy, infrastructure and wildlife at risk, we have to equip ourselves with much better information."
The report recommends a long-term environmental information plan, stronger national leadership and a more connected environmental information system to support better decision-making for New Zealand's future. In particular, the Commissioner recommends revising the Environmental Protection Authority’s mandate to give it responsibility for the environmental information system.