The work we do each day is about protecting the environment and enhancing a safe and sustainable way of life, and future, for all New Zealanders.
Our vision
Video: Protecting the environment. It's our nature. | 1:34 mins | Transcript
What we do affects the everyday lives of all New Zealanders. We work to achieve our vision of an environment protected, enhancing our way of life and the economy.
Aotearoa New Zealand has some unique environments, a unique culture, and a special relationship with tangata whenua (indigenous people).
In doing our work we carefully balance social, economic, safety, and environmental factors to protect the way of life New Zealanders want now, and in the future.
Our strategy
Our strategy to achieve our vision is set out in our Statements of Intent, including how we will measure our progress:
Our governance
We are a Crown Agent established under the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011.
We are governed by a board appointed by the Minister for the Environment under section 9 of the Act. The members are the EPA's board for the purposes of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
We report to the Minister for the Environment and the Associate Minister for the Environment, and the Minister for Climate Change on issues relevant to their portfolios.
We also have a number of advisory groups and decision-making committees:
- Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao - EPA Māori Advisory Committee
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Committee
- Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act boards of inquiry
- Nationally Significant Proposal boards of inquiry
- Fast-track consenting decision-making panels.
How we work
Our work must be done in a way that:
- contributes to the efficient, effective and transparent management of New Zealand's environment and natural and physical resources
- enables New Zealand to meet its international obligations.
We have particular responsibilities under the environmental Acts we manage.
Making decisions for the good of New Zealand
We're charged with making decisions about whether to allow certain chemical products into New Zealand. We also have this role for new organisms, which is a term that covers all sorts of living things, from tiny viruses to large plants and animals.
This is an important role, and we don't take it lightly. This video explains the process we follow for all these types of decisions.
Video: How the EPA makes decisions about hazardous substances and new organisms | 1:48 mins | Transcript
You can find out more about all the different roles we have by expanding the list below:
Fast-track Consenting
Administer nationally significant proposals
Manage chemicals in New Zealand
We decide whether or not to approve applications to import or manufacture pesticides, dangerous goods, household chemicals and other hazardous substances in New Zealand. We do this by assessing applications and weighing up the risks and benefits of these substances, using our risk assessment model.
Download and print out the diagram (JPEG, 2.6 MB)
Text description of the HSNO risk assessment model diagram
We create the rules to make sure the people who make and use these substances do so in a way that's safe for them and the environment. We also make sure the rules are followed (along with WorkSafe New Zealand and other agencies).
New Zealand also has international obligations relating to ozone-depleting substances, certain chemicals and hazardous waste. We make sure we meet those obligations.