Council endorses landmark regional biodiversity strategy

A new era of regional collaboration for nature is underway, with Waikato Regional Council endorsing Te Mauri o te Taiao: Waikato Regional Biodiversity Strategy, setting a clear direction for protecting and restoring the region’s indigenous biodiversity.

At its September Strategy and Policy Committee meeting, councillors endorsed the strategy, establishing the first region-wide framework to guide biodiversity investment and action across the Waikato over the next 25 years.

Committee Chair, Ben Dunbar-Smith said the strategy aligns biodiversity efforts across sectors, communities and organisations to address the region’s ongoing biodiversity decline and deliver lasting environmental outcomes. 

“The Waikato is home to a rich diversity of native plants, animals and ecosystems that are fundamental to our region’s identity, wellbeing and resilience. This strategy provides a shared roadmap for protecting what remains, restoring what has been lost and achieving the greatest impact through collective action.”

The Waikato region contains some of New Zealand’s most significant biodiversity, but habitat loss, invasive species and diseases, pollution, changes in land use and climate change continue to drive its decline.

The regional biodiversity strategy builds on restoration efforts already underway, helping coordinate investment, knowledge, partnerships and action across the region. It is guided by a vision of healthy, connected and resilient ecosystems where indigenous biodiversity thrives alongside healthy communities and sustainable livelihoods. 

Cr Dunbar-Smith said the strategy recognises biodiversity as important for supporting clean water, productive land, flood resilience, climate adaptation, cultural identity and the region’s economy.

“Protecting biodiversity is about more than conservation. Healthy ecosystems support the things our communities rely on every day.” 

The strategy has been shaped through extensive engagement over the past two years, including collaboration with Waikato Biodiversity Accord partners, iwi and hapū, local authorities, community organisations and the wider public. Feedback has informed the strategy’s priorities, outcomes and implementation approach.

“Ultimately, the strategy is about ensuring future generations inherit an environment that is healthier, more connected and more resilient than it is today. By 2050, we want to see indigenous habitats better connected, threatened species more resilient, and communities across the Waikato actively involved in restoring and protecting biodiversity.”

The focus will now shift from strategy to action with accord partners working together to develop an implementation plan that is designed to strengthen regional coordination and support local biodiversity initiatives.