Why it matters
Using the Resource Management Act, Forest & Bird has saved many precious environments, and created powerful precedents for environmental protection. But doing so has been far harder and more expensive than it should have been, and there are many places we have not been able to save from developers, miners, land holders, and the government itself.
New Zealand is embarking on a process that could change all that. A proposed new law - The Natural and Built Environments Act could achieve what the RMA began 30 years ago, and bring nature back to a world where we all live well.
We must learn from the RMA, and put nature first in the new Act. The purpose of the Natural and Built Environments Act must be to protect our fundamental need for a healthy environment.
RMA Reform Webinar: Submission Guide
What can you do
Getting the NBEA right is a big focus for Forest & Bird. We made a submission on the Natural and Built Environments Bill - Exposure Draft in August. You can read our submission below.
