Waikato Biodiversity Strategy
The Waikato rohe (region) is home to an extraordinary richness of native plants, animals and ecosystems, from wetlands and geothermal areas to forests, rivers, lakes and coastal habitats. But this natural richness is under increasing threat. Pressures from land use change, invasive pests and diseases, pollution, habitat loss and the impacts of climate change are driving biodiversity loss.
Why is biodiversity important?
Biodiversity is vital to our wellbeing. It purifies water, recycles nutrients, provides food and shields us from flooding. It also strengthens our resilience to climate change, supports our economy and sustains our cultural identity. Therefore, protecting and restoring biodiversity is not just conservation – it’s an investment in the health, prosperity and future of our region.
Why do we need a strategy?
On-ground efforts by landowners, iwi and hapū and local communities are making a valuable contribution to improving our region’s biodiversity; however, we do not yet have a shared, regional strategy to bring these efforts together.
A regional strategy is an opportunity to unite people and efforts under a shared vision with clear goals and direction, so we can achieve meaningful biodiversity outcomes together at a landscape scale.
By working together – landowners, iwi and hapū, councils, government agencies, community groups and organisations – we can harness diverse perspectives, knowledge and resources to create a living strategy that evolves over time and supports a thriving and resilient natural environment for generations to come.
Answering nature's call to action
We've heard from landowners, iwi and hapū, community groups and organisations across the Waikato region, and their feedback has helped strengthen the biodiversity strategy. Through the interactive map, people also shared information about biodiversity restoration work in their area and highlighted places where action could make a difference. Their contributions have informed key elements of the strategy and helped guide where future efforts should be focused.
Current status
In September, council endorsed the Waikato Regional Biodiversity Strategy, subject to minor amendments. The final strategy will be published in early November. In the meantime, you can read the draft version that was submitted to council for endorsement.
Read the Draft Waikato Regional Biodiversity Strategy here.
