National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity.

The National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity aims to promote the conservation and sustainable management of indigenous biodiversity in New Zealand while recognizing the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices in biodiversity assessments and management. The document outlines guidelines and requirements for protecting and managing indigenous biodiversity in New Zealand. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the existing ecological features and values of a site, as well as identifying and managing adverse effects on indigenous biodiversity. The document also highlights the significance of ecosystem services associated with indigenous biodiversity and the need to assess ecological integrity and connectivity within and beyond a site. Additionally, the policy statement includes provisions for incorporating Māori knowledge and practices (mātauranga Māori and tikanga Māori) in biodiversity assessments. It also addresses the concept of biodiversity offsetting, providing guidelines for quantifying loss and gain calculations and ensuring that relevant principles are adhered to. Furthermore, the document outlines requirements for mapping areas, describing significant attributes, identifying indigenous vegetation and fauna, and addressing key threats and management requirements. It also specifies provisions for identifying Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) on Crown-owned land and managing adverse effects on SNAs.