The purpose of the Strategy is to establish a strategic framework for action, to conserve and sustainably use and manage New Zealand’s biodiversity. The primary focus is on New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity. However, because of the value and economic importance of much of our introduced biodiversity, the conservation of the genetic resources of our important introduced species is also addressed.

New Zealand’s high level of endemic biodiversity makes a unique contribution to global biodiversity and places on us an obligation to ensure its continued existence. Our indigenous biodiversity — our native species, their genetic diversity, and the habitats and ecosystems that support them — is of huge value to New Zealand and its citizens; to our economy, our quality of life, and our sense of identity as a nation.

However, since humans first settled in New Zealand, our biodiversity has been in decline — through species’ extinction, loss and disruption of natural areas and ecosystems, and the effects of an increasing number and variety of introduced plant and animal pests. This trend of decline has continued throughout the 20th century, slowed only in part by more active conservation and natural resource management over the last three decades. Without increased and more targeted management efforts, driven by clear biodiversity goals, the decline in biodiversity will continue, with irreversible consequences.

Increasingly, New Zealand’s international reputation and trade opportunities will depend on our performance in maintaining a quality natural environment, of which biodiversity is a key element.

The Strategy’s vision describes a future in which all New Zealanders contribute to sustaining the full range of indigenous biodiversity and share in its benefits, and in which the genetic resources of our important introduced species are secure.

Four goals are established for conserving and sustainably managing New Zealand’s biodiversity:

Enable communities and individuals to equitably share responsibility for, and benefits from, conserving and sustainably using New Zealand’s biodiversity, including the benefits from the use of indigenous genetic resources.

Goal Three: Halt the decline in New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity
Maintain and restore a full range of remaining natural habitats and ecosystems to a healthy functioning state, enhance critically scarce habitats, and sustain the more modified ecosystems in production and urban environments; and do what else is necessary to 

Maintain and restore viable populations of all indigenous species and subspecies across their natural range and maintain their genetic diversity.

Thirteen principles are identified to guide the conservation and sustainable management of New Zealand’s biodiversity and the implementation of this Strategy.

A comprehensive framework for action directed towards the Strategy goals is outlined in ten “themes”: biodiversity on land; freshwater biodiversity; coastal and marine biodiversity; conservation and use of genetic resources; biosecurity and biodiversity; governance; Maori and biodiversity; community participation and awareness; information, knowledge and capacity; and New Zealand’s international responsibilities.

For each theme, a desired outcome describes what needs to be achieved to realise the goals for the Strategy. Key biodiversity issues are summarised, highlighting the gap between the current state and management, and the desired outcome. Detailed action plans for each theme, setting out objectives and actions, are designed to target gaps and achieve the desired goals.

Priority actions identified in Part Three are grouped under the Strategy goals. These actions have been selected as priorities because they should best position us in the short term (the first five years of implementation) to achieve our biodiversity goals in the long term.

A mechanism for coordinating implementation of the Strategy at a central government level is outlined. Successful implementation will require a coordinated effort across central and local government, working in partnership with iwi and hapu, and with the community, the private sector and landowners.