New Zealand - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

New Zealand is a Pacific island country composed of two main islands and many small islands. Its relative isolation from continental landmasses has led to a high level of endemic biodiversity. New Zealand’s animal biodiversity is unique in that it comprises predominantly bird species that evolved with no terrestrial mammals filling the predator niche... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

National Parks (14): 3,104,868 ha. Conservation Parks/Areas: 4,861,262 ha. Reserves: 822,894 ha. Wildlife Areas: 21,093 ha. Protected Private Lands: 97,291 ha. Total: 8,916,646 ha.

Marine Protected Areas under conservation management (32 sites): 1,276,388 ha.

Percentage of Forest Cover

Indigenous forest: 6,483,228 ha; 75.89% of total forest cover; 24.19% of land area. Exotic forest: 2,059,194 ha; 24.1% of total forest cover; 7.68% of land area. Grand Total: 8,542,422 ha; 100% of total forest cover; 31.87% of land area.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The strategy revolves around four main themes, which are (i) community and individual action, responsibility and benefits, (ii) the Treaty of Waitangi, protecting Iwi and Hapu interests and building partnerships between Government and Maori, (iii) halting the decline of indigenous biodiversity, and (iv) the genetic resources of introduced species important for economic, biological and cultural reasons... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

The government’s primary focus is on indigenous biodiversity, particularly endemic species, and for conservation work in-situ rather than ex-situ. A current conservation programme priority is work to protect marine and freshwater ecosystems.

The first priority of current conservation work in New Zealand is to prevent, where possible, the development of new threats... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

New Zealand’s protected area network currently covers 29% of its land area. This area continues to increase, with specific efforts to protect sub-alpine grasslands through review of agricultural tenure, and incentives and encouragement for private landowners to protect areas of ecological significance. The protected area network includes most areas of high or unique biological diversity... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, are an integral part of New Zealand society, and play an important role in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in New Zealand. Programmes are in place to support Maori initiatives in relation to biodiversity, and Maori are active participants in government conservation activities... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Ms. Nicola Reid	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Dr. Geoff Hicks	CHM NFP, GTI NFP
Ms. Nicola Scott	Protected Areas NFP
Mr. Andrew Bignell	GSPC NFP
Dr. Geoff Ridley	CHM NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Ms. Nicola Reid	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Dr. Geoff Ridley	BCH NFP