The scale of the TFBIS programme includes achievement of New Zealand (including Ross Dependency, Antarctica) national interest goals for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity conservation, as defined in the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, conservation legislation, and species and ecosystem recovery plans.

The scale excludes regional or local interest goals.

All TFBIS Programme projects are required to be publicly and freely available, except where reasons preclude this as specified in Government policies and legislation. Any proposal that does not provide for open access to data and information should be discussed with the Programme Manager prior to submitting an application.

The Programme will not support the production of resources for the benefit of a single agency or organisation only; or an individual or single company developing a business activity or new idea in order to sell it.

In reviewing progress made with development of data and information systems between 2001 - 2008 and feedback from both the Five Year Review of the Biodiversity Strategy (Clarkson and Green) and the consultation related to the TFBIS Strategy, a view was presented that there was a need for better connection between TFBIS funded projects and on the ground biodiversity management effort. This is being achieved through greater emphasis on user needs assessments and review of completed projects to ensure the desired outputs identified by users were indeed achieved. The processes that have been adopted to implement the recently approved TFBIS Strategy reflect this.

Updated:02/05/2011