The Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation are working on a broad programme of guidance about biodiversity protection on private land which includes improving information sharing, building awareness and mechanisms to achieve protection. The first component of this work programme is the Statement of national priorities.

The Minister of Conservation and the Minister for the Environment issued a statement of national priorities for the protection of rare and threatened native biodiversity on private land in April 2007.

1. A Brochure that gives a summary of national priorities is available:

   Protecting our places: Introducing the national priorities for protecting rare and threatened biodiversity on private land (PDF)

2. More detailed information about the national priorities is also available:

   Protecting our places: Information about the national priorities for protecting rare and threatened biodiversity on private land (PDF)

3. A list of historically rare ecosystems featured under national priority two.

   List of the historically rare ecosystems (PDF)

   Landcare Research information on New Zealand’s historically rare ecosystems

4. Media release from the Ministers of Conservation and the Environment

   Biodiversity on private land crucial to all Kiwis

Maps of National Priority 1

National Priority 1 is - To protect indigenous vegetation associated with land environments, (defined by Land Environments of New Zealand at Level lV), that have 20 percent or less remaining in indigenous cover.

National Priority 1 – Regional and District/City council maps