Benefits to the natural environment

Benefits to the natural environment is a factor for assessing the benefit of overseas investments in sensitive land under section 17(1)(b) of the Overseas Investment Amendment Act 2021.

Overseas Investment Amendment Act 2021, section 17(1)(b)

This factor may encompass any type of benefit to New Zealand’s natural environment. Applicants should identify the specific type of environmental benefit they are claiming. The benefit must be additional to any that already exists without the investment.

Examples of how the investment could benefit the natural environment include:

• protection of indigenous flora and fauna
• improved water quality
• erosion control.

Note that if the land includes a site of national significance, or if an application raises Treaty of Waitangi issues, a national interest assessment may be required.

Definitions

The natural environment

The natural environment includes land, water, air, soil, all forms of plants and animals (whether native to New Zealand or introduced), and ecosystems and their constituent parts.

Indigenous flora and fauna

Indigenous flora refers to trees native to New Zealand. Indigenous fauna refers to wildlife native to New Zealand, such as native birds and fish.

Benefits to the natural environment

Examples of measures that may benefit the natural environment include:

• pest control, fencing, fire control, erosion control, or riparian planting
• covenants over the land.

Generally, the benefit associated with enduring mechanisms such as conservation covenants are given greater weight than temporary measures.

A commitment to implement specific mechanisms will be given greater weight than an agreement to consult with a relevant entity.

Making a claim

To claim a benefit to the natural environment, an applicant should provide the following information:

• Description: The nature of the benefits to the natural environment the applicant claims will result from the investment. Include information about the natural features on the land that the benefit relates to (for example, the indigenous flora or fauna present).
• Current state: Details of any existing measures in place to protect or enhance the natural environment.
• Method: The new or enhanced measures the applicant intends to take and how they will be implemented.
• Benefit to New Zealand: How the proposed measures will benefit New Zealand. Include information about the significance of the natural features being preserved or enhanced, the likely impact of the proposed measures on the environment and any related benefits.
• Expenditure: The capital expenditure (if any) required.
• Timeframe: When the benefits are likely to occur.
• Uncertainties: Anything that may prevent the benefit from occurring (for example, consents and approvals).

Conditions of consent

An applicant’s claims under this factor will generally only be the subject of an associated condition of consent and post-consent monitoring by LINZ if it is a key benefit of the investment.

Where LINZ considers that this factor is the key benefit, we may consult the Department of Conservation. The outcome of this consultation will be discussed with the applicant where relevant, including any potential conditions of consent.