Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
19 October 2023
T Murray
[FYI request #24299 email]
REF: OIA-13748
Dear T Murray
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email
of 2 October 2023 requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Could you please provide the policy and procedures for the management and/or protection of
native animals within the Wellington Council region when upgrading and maintaining roading or
determining new roading works.
As the information you have requested is available at online sources, I am required to refuse this
request under section 18(d) of the Act as the information requested is publicly available.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency recognises the importance of native species and biodiversity and
has recently developed guidelines to be used when undertaking ecological impact assessments of
state highway projects. These guidelines are available on our website at:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/ecological-impact-assessment-guidelines/Ecological-
impact-assessment-guidelines.pdf
Before a new state highway project begins construction, an ecological impact assessment (EcIA)
needs to be undertaken. Waka Kotahi and its contractors follow the aforementioned guidelines along
with the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) guideline – which can be
accessed at https://www.eianz.org/document/item/4447 – when undertaking EcIAs. For maintenance
work on the state highway network, our contractors are also required to follow an environmental plan
and Appendix A in the EIANZ guideline outlines details about managing ecological risks, including to
animal species.
Our policy on biodiversity, and case studies about ecological monitoring of animals, can be accessed
at https://nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/highways-information-portal/technical-disciplines/environment-
and-sustainability-in-our-operations/environmental-technical-areas/biodiversity/.
These guidelines apply to all state highway projects and maintenance work throughout New Zealand,
and not just in the Wellington region. For policies and guidelines regarding local roads within the
Wellington region, we suggest that you contact Wellington City Council.
Further information about our environmental and social legislation and policy can be accessed on our
website at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/about-us/about-waka-kotahi-nz-transport-agency/environmental-
and-social-responsibility/environmental-and-social-legislation-and-policy/.
You may also be interested in visiting our Ecological resources webpage, which includes links to
research reports, at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/about-us/about-waka-kotahi-nz-transport-
agency/environmental-and-social-responsibility/protecting-the-natural-environment/ecological-
resources/.
If you would like to discuss this reply with Waka Kotahi, please contact us by email to
[NZTA request email].
Yours sincerely
Vanessa Browne
National Manager, Programme and Standards
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