“We welcome investment in biodiversity protection and restoration: conservation is severely underfunded, New Zealand has 4,000 native species at risk of extinction, and we urgently need protection for forests, wetlands, and rivers,” says Forest & Bird spokesperson Scott Burnett.

Forest & Bird made a submission on the Government’s proposed Voluntary Market Schemes earlier this year, supporting the development of high-integrity standards, transparent monitoring, and independent oversight for biodiversity markets.

The organisation says the Government endorsement framework announced today will be important for ensuring public confidence in the market and helping direct investment towards genuine restoration projects.

“Nature credits must not replace strong environmental regulation, or be used as regulatory offsets. We support a Government endorsement framework with transparent monitoring and verification, and clear standards around positive biodiversity outcomes.”

Forest & Bird says that biodiversity credit schemes should complement, not replace, direct Government investment in conservation and stronger protections for the environment.

“Our native biodiversity is unique and irreplaceable, but increasingly at risk from new laws and policies, even on public conservation land. Restoring and protecting healthy habitats requires long-term investment in projects and meaningful involvement from iwi, hapū, and local communities,” says Mr Burnett.

Forest & Bird also says it will be important that any market framework reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique ecosystems and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

The organisation looks forward to seeing further detail on the Government’s proposed framework, and how biodiversity outcomes will be measured, monitored, and protected over the long term.