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Biodiversity

Biodiversity is short for “biological diversity”. It describes the variety and diversity of all life on land, in fresh water and in the sea, including the places or ecosystems where they live and the genes they contain. When we talk about biodiversity we generally think about the individual birds, plants, fish, insects and other species that are special to New Zealand – our indigenous biodiversity. There are many examples, such as kiwi, tui, inanga (whitebait), weta, and ti kouka (cabbage tree).

We also think of our distinctive ecosystems (the interacting system of the living species and non-living parts such as air, nutrients and water) such as forests, sand dunes and lakes.

To find out more about biodiversity, see What is biodiversity? on the New Zealand biodiversity website.

Our biodiversity provide the life supporting systems that enable all organisms, including humans to survive.  The important resources and services, such as clean air and water, fertile soils, pollution and flood control provided by biodiversity underpins our economic and social sustainability.  It also provides a stream of products such as timber, fuel, food and medicines.  Other benefits include recreation, aesthetic, scientific, education and cultural values and a sense of identity.

Biodiversity can also help provide stability and resilience as we adapt to the fluctuations and disturbances brought by climate change.

Our farming, forestry and horticulture depend on the resources and services provided by biological systems. Protecting the natural resources and the introduced species on which these industries are based, from pests, weeds and diseases is important to New Zealand.

On the New Zealand biodiversity website, you can learn about:

On this website you can access information about initiatives being undertaken to protect New Zealand's biodiversity including the Government's Statement of National Priorities for protecting rare and threatened native biodiversity on private land and the implementation of the Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy.

Links to other Ministry resources