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.

Answer nature's call to action!

We're keen to hear from landowners, iwi and hapū, community groups and organisations to help shape a biodiversity strategy for the Waikato region. The feedback you share will inform key elements of the strategy and help us decide where to focus our efforts.

To help with this, we’ve built an interactive map where you can show us the conservation work happening in your area and highlight places where action can make a difference. Simply click the ‘Interactive Map’ tab below to get started.

You can also share feedback or ask a question by clicking the ‘Have your say’ tab below, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can reach out to us using the contact details in the Sidebar.