Community invited to help strengthen biodiversity strategy for the Waikato region

Waikato Regional Council is calling on residents, landowners, iwi, community groups and businesses to help strengthen a new biodiversity strategy aimed at protecting and restoring the region’s unique natural environment.

The Waikato is home to a rich diversity of native plants and animals, ecosystems and habitats. Yet despite this richness, biodiversity across the region faces significant pressure from habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, land-use change and the growing impacts of climate change.

To respond to these challenges, the council is leading the development of a biodiversity strategy that sets out a 25-year pathway to halt the decline of indigenous biodiversity and support thriving ecosystems across the region’s land, freshwater and coastal environments. 

Developed with Waikato Biodiversity Accord partners and stakeholders, and supported by technical evidence and statutory direction, the draft Waikato Regional Biodiversity Strategy – Te Mauri o te Taiao, establishes a shared regional vision and clear priorities through to 2050. 

The strategy aligns the efforts of councils, iwi, government agencies, landowners and community organisations, enabling more effective collaboration, smarter investment and stronger biodiversity outcomes across the region.

Science, Policy and Information Director, Tracey May, said the strategy marks an important step toward a more coordinated and future-focused approach to biodiversity. 

“Our region’s biodiversity is central to our identity, wellbeing and economy. This strategy will help ensure we are aligning our efforts, sharing knowledge and focusing investment where it will have the greatest impact in protecting and enhancing what makes the Waikato unique.”

The council is now seeking public feedback through an online survey, giving people the opportunity to share their views on the strategy’s proposed outcomes, strategic focus areas and long-term direction.

Principal Policy Advisor, Judy van Rossem, said community perspectives will be vital in shaping the final strategy, ensuring it reflects local values, priorities and aspirations of people across the region. 

“Biodiversity is something we all have a role in protecting. Hearing from our communities will help ensure the strategy is grounded in local knowledge and supported by those who will help bring it to life.”

Have your say

People can view the draft strategy and provide feedback via the survey at: yourvoicematters.waikatoregion.govt.nz/waikato-biodiversity-strategy  

The survey closes on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. 

An interactive online map is also available, enabling people to highlight local restoration efforts already underway and pinpoint areas where further action is needed. This tool helps build a clearer picture of community‑led restoration across the region and will inform the development of an implementation plan – an output of the strategy.

Feedback gathered through this process will help refine the strategy before it is finalised and presented to council for adoption.