| A |
|
|---|
AEE |
see assessment of environmental effects |
Agenda 21 |
A major result of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). A non-binding framework of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally, to achieve sustainable development consisting of four interlinked sections: social and economic dimensions; management and conservation of natural resources; means of implementation; and strengthening the role of organizations of the United Nations system, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans impact on the environment. (Int) |
amenity values |
Defined in the RMA as "those natural or physical qualities and characteristics of an area that contribute to people's appreciation of its pleasantness, aesthetic coherence, and cultural and recreational attributes". It can include open space, design features, urban vegetation, historic and cultural heritage, and intangible attributes such as character, landscape and 'sense of place'. |
ANZECC |
Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, a non-statutory Ministerial Council formed in July 1991. ANZECC consists of the Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers and the New Zealand and Papua New Guinea Ministers responsible for the environment and conservation. It provides a forum for member governments to exchange information and experience and develop coordinated policies in relation to national and international environment and conservation issues. (Int) |
ANZFA |
Australia New Zealand Food Authority, a statutory authority operating under the Australia New Zealand Food Authority Act 1991. The Act provides a focus for cooperation between governments, industry and the community to establish and maintain uniform food regulation in Australia and New Zealand. (Int) |
Aotearoa |
Islands of New Zealand |
APEC |
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, established in 1989, its role to promote open trade and economic cooperation among its 21 member 'economies' around the Pacific rim, of which New Zealand is one. (Int) |
ASEAN |
Association of South East Asian Nations |
AS/NZS |
Australian and New Zealand standard |
atua |
Gods, the first supernatural beings |
assessment of environmental effects |
A report outlining the effects that a proposed activity might have on the environment. (NZ) |
| B |
|
|---|
BIA |
Building Industry Authority; became part of the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) in 2004. |
bioaccumulation / biomagnification |
The process of accumulation leading to progressively higher concentrations of a contaminant up through the food chain, via predators ingesting prey that have previously accumulated contaminants in their body tissue. |
biocontrol |
Using biological means (such as parasites, viruses or predators) to control a pest. |
biodegradeable |
Degradable process in which fungi, bacteria, or algae secrete enzymes to convert a complex molecular structure into simple gases and organic compounds within a reasonably short period of time after disposal. |
biodiversity |
The variety of all biological life (plants, animals, insects, fish, birds, invertebrates and micro-organisms), the genes they contain and the ecosystems and habitats in which they live. |
biosecurity |
The exclusion, eradication and effective management of pests and unwanted organisms into New Zealand. |
biotechnology |
Studying or manipulating one or more of the basic components of living things: tissues, cells, proteins, genes or DNA. It can include identification and characterisation of genes, genetic engineering, growing cells in a culture, or utilising cell components other than genes. |
blackwater |
Human excrement or matter contaminated with human excrement discharged from a toilet. |
Brundtland Report |
Released in 1987 the Brundtland Report, titled 'Our Common Future', alerted the world to the urgency of making progress toward economic development that could be sustained without depleting natural resources or harming the environment. It highlighted three fundamental components to sustainable development: environmental protection, economic growth and social equity. Published by the WCED, the report provided a key statement on sustainable development, defining it as: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Int) |
BSE |
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (commonly known as 'mad cow disease'), a slowly progressive and ultimately fatal neurological disorder of adult cattle. (see vCJD and TSE) |
| C |
|
|---|
CA |
Conservation Act 1987 (NZ) |
carbon sequestration |
The removal and long-term storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the use of natural carbon sinks, primarily in forests in the form of increasing plant biomass. |
catchment |
Land area from which water drains toward a common watercourse in a natural basin. |
CBD |
Convention on Biological Diversity, signed by over 150 governments at UNCED in 1992. It came into force in 1993 and is a framework for international action to conserve the planet's biological diversity, ensure the sustainable use of its components, and promote the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. (Int) |
CCAMLR |
The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which came into force in 1982 as part of the Antarctic Treaty System. Its aim to conserve marine life, the Convention defines a Commission and a Scientific Committee to work together to manage marine living resources in the Southern Ocean. (Int) |
CITES |
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna 1973, an international agreement between governments, its aim to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. (Int) |
citizens' concern |
A communication received by the PCE from any individual, group, organisation or business which expresses concern on a matter or matters relating to the environment, and/or which seeks a service from the PCE. |
climate change |
A change of climate attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability over comparable time periods. (see global warming, Kyoto Protocol and UNFCCC) |
CMS |
Conservation Management Strategy, a 10-year regional strategy required under the CA in which DOC provides an overview of conservation issues and gives direction for the management of conservation areas. Its purpose is to implement general policies and establish objectives for the integrated management of natural and historic resources, and for recreation, tourism, and any other conservation purposes. (NZ) |
consumer energy |
The amount of energy consumed by final users. It excludes energy used or lost in the process of transforming energy into other forms and in bringing the energy to the final consumers. (see primary energy) |
contact recreation |
Activities involving a significant risk of ingestion of water, such as wading by children, swimming, water skiing, diving and surfing. |
contiguous zone |
Those areas of the sea from the outside edge of the territorial sea (which is 12 nautical miles from low-water mark along the coast of New Zealand) out to a distance of 12 nautical miles. |
conversion efficiency |
The efficiency at which a specific technology converts the energy from a source (e.g. falling water, fossil fuel, wind, sunlight) into usable energy (see primary and consumer energy). |
CRI |
Crown Research Institute, established in 1992 as Government-owned businesses with a scientific purpose. Each of the nine institutes is based around a productive sector of the economy or a grouping of natural resources. (NZ) |
Crop & Food Research |
New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Ltd, a CRI (NZ) |
CSD |
Commission on Sustainable Development, of the United Nations, created in 1992 and consisting of representatives from over 50 countries. Its purpose is to ensure effective follow-up of UNCED and to monitor and report on implementation of the agreements at local, national, regional and international levels. (Int) |
| D |
|
|---|
|
Department of Building and Housing (NZ). Established on 1 November 2004, the DBH manages the country's building legislation, and also provides information, advice and rulings on weathertightness and 'leaky buildings' made by the DBH and the former Building Industry Authority. |
demand-side management |
Management actions for influencing and reducing resource flows. Possible approaches, using water as an example, include user charges, education, information, retrofitting and installation of water-efficient devices. |
DIA |
Department of Internal Affairs (NZ) |
DOC |
Department of Conservation (NZ) |
DPMC |
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (NZ) |
district plan |
Prepared by all city or district councils to help them carry out their functions under the RMA. (NZ) |
| E |
|
|---|
EA |
Environment Act 1986 (NZ) |
Earth Summit |
see UNCED |
ecological footprint |
A measure of the 'load' imposed by a given population on nature. It represents the land area necessary to sustain current levels of resource consumption and waste discharge by that population. |
ecosystem |
A dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. |
ecosystem services |
The functions performed by ecosystems that ensure natural cycles (e.g. water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen), processes and energy flows continue to provide an environment that supports life, including human life. Ecosystem services such as fresh water from catchments and wastewater assimilation by wetlands represent the benefits that people derive, directly or indirectly, from ecosystem functions. |
EECA |
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, established under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000, as a stand-alone Crown entity with an enduring role to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy across all sectors of the economy. (NZ) |
EEZ |
see exclusive economic zone |
effluent |
Any substance, particularly a liquid, which enters the environment from a point source. Generally refers to wastewater from a sewage treatment or industrial plant. |
EIA |
Environmental Impact Assessment |
emissions trading |
A market-based approach to achieving environmental objectives that allows those reducing greenhouse gas emissions below what is required under the Kyoto Protocol to use or trade the excess reductions to offset emissions at another source inside or outside the country. (see UNFCCC) |
endemism |
Occurrence of organisms or taxa (termed endemic) whose distributions are restricted to a geographical region or locality, such as an island or a continent. |
energy efficiency |
Any change in energy use that results in an increase in net benefits per unit of energy. |
environment |
Defined in the EA as including (a) ecosystems and their constituent parts (including people and communities) and (b) all natural and physical resources and (c) those physical qualities and characteristics of an area that contribute to people's appreciation of its pleasantness, aesthetic coherence, and cultural and recreational attributes and (d) the social, economic, aesthetic, and cultural conditions which affect the matters stated in (a) to (c) or which are affected by those matters. |
Environment Court |
Specialist court where people can go to appeal decisions made by councils on either a policy statement or plan, or on a resource consent applciation, or to apply for an enforcement order. (NZ) |
environmental performance indicators |
A national programme for reporting on the state of the environment developed by the Ministry for the Environment in collaboration with other agencies. The programme summarises data on complex environmental issues to show the overall status and trends of those issues, and measures the success of environmental policies in achieving their desired results. (NZ) |
ERMA |
Environmental Risk Management Authority, set up under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, its key role to make decisions on applications to introduce new organisms or hazardous substances to New Zealand. The authority is a quasi-judicial body with up to eight members appointed by the Minister for the Environment. (NZ) |
ESR |
Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, a CRI (NZ) |
eutrophication |
Excessive plant and algae growth (especially in lakes) caused by elevated nutrient levels. |
exclusive economic zone |
Those areas of sea, seabed, and subsoil beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea (which is 12 nautical miles from low-water mark along the coast of New Zealand) out to a distance of 200 nautical miles. |
exotic species |
A species occurring in an area outside its historically known natural range as a result of intentional or accidental dispersal by human activities. |
externality/external cost |
Cost of production or consumption borne by society rather than by the producer e.g. the environmental and health costs of water pollution. |
| F |
|
|---|
FAO |
Food and Agricultural Organisation, of the United Nations (Int) |
fossil fuels |
Carbon-based fuels including coal, natural gas and fuels derived from crude oil (eg petrol and diesel); called fossil fuels because they have been formed over long periods of time from ancient organic matter. Fossil fuels are not a renewable resource, meaning that once consumed, they are gone forever. |
FRI |
New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd, a CRI (NZ) |
FRST |
Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, a purchase agent that receives public funding from MORST, and invests in research and development and scientific services which fall within the definition of 'public good' science and technology such as for social, environmental and industry development purposes. It also assists businesses with R&D funding and provides independent policy advice to Government. (NZ) |
FSC |
Forest Stewardship Council, an international organisation established to develop guidelines and certification processes for ecologically sustainable forestry. (Int) |
| G |
|
|---|
GDP |
Gross Domestic Product, the total market value of all final goods and services produced in an economy during a period. |
gene |
Basic unit of heredity, located on chromosomes; a set of encoded instructions that control
characteristics or traits. |
genetic engineering |
The process by which genes are added to or deleted from an organism to change the inherited characteristics of the organism. |
genetically modified organism |
An organism that has been modified by genetic engineering, or one that is derived from such an organism. |
global warming |
The view that the earth's temperature is being increased, in part, due to emissions of greenhouse gases associated with human activities such as burning fossil fuels, biomass burning, cow and sheep rearing, deforestation and other land use changes. (see climate change, Kyoto Protocol and UNFCCC) |
GMO |
see genetically modified organism |
governance |
The set of arrangements by which the affairs of an institution are ordered. In the case of local government, it includes the functions of elected representatives and council committees in the overall governance structure of councils. |
greenhouse gases |
Atmospheric gases that increase the temperature of the earth's surface through absorbing and re-emitting infra-red radiation. They include water vapour, tropospheric ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Around 90% of gross CO2 emissions in New Zealand are caused by energy production and use. |
greywater |
Wastewater from a handbasin, bath, shower, kitchen, shower and laundry, but excluding blackwater. |
groundwater |
Water within the earth that supplies wells and springs |
| H |
|
|---|
HA |
Health Act 1956 (NZ) |
hapū |
Family or district groups, communities. |
hazard |
A source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss (AS/NZS 4360:1995) |
hazardous substance |
Generally, any substance with the potential to damage the environment, human health and safety or structures. Specifically, any substance that exceeds a defined threshold level for one or more of the following hazardous properties: explosiveness, flammability, ability to oxidise, toxicity (acute and chronic), corrosiveness, ecotoxicity (with or without bioaccumulation) and substances which, on contact with air or water, develop one or more of the above properties. |
HFCs |
Hydrofluorocarbons, a group of greenhouse gases, which are used in a range of industrial applications |
historic area |
Defined in the HPA as an area of land that contains an inter-related group of historic places; and forms part of the historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand; and lies within the territorial limits of New Zealand. (NZ) |
historic place |
Defined in the HPA as any land (including an archaeological site); or any building or structure (including part of a building or a structure); or any combination of land and a building or structure, that forms part of the historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand and lies within the territorial limits of New Zealand; and includes anything that is in or fixed to such land. (NZ) |
Historic Places Trust |
New Zealand Historic Places Trust, a charitable trust established by an Act of Parliament in 1954. Governed by a Board of Trustees and a Māori Heritage Council, the Trust's mission is to promote the identification, protection, preservation and conservation of the historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand. (NZ) |
HortResearch |
The Horticultural & Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd, a CRI (NZ) |
HPA |
Historic Places Act 1993 (NZ) |
HSNO |
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (NZ) |
hui |
Gatherings, discussions, meetings, usually on marae |
hybrid vehicle |
Vehicle that uses a combination of petrol and electricity for motive power, so as increase efficiency and thereby reduce emissions. |
hydrological cycle |
The natural pathway water follows in changing between liquid, solid, and gaseous states as it moves in various forms through the ecosphere. |
| I |
|
|---|
IFU |
Indigenous Forestry Unit, a division of MAF responsible for the management of sustainable indigenous forestry. (NZ) |
IGNS |
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd, a CRI (NZ) |
IGO |
Intergovernmental organisation, an organisation constituted of governments, such as the World Bank and the OECD. |
IMO |
International Maritime Organisation, of the United Nations (NZ) |
indigenous |
Produced by, or naturally belonging to, a particular region or area |
integrated environmental management |
Generally recognised as the practice of managing all natural and physical resources in a holistic manner or systems approach, rather than managing each individual resource as a single component. Integrated environmental management has a number of other dimensions including the structures and processes within and between central and/or local government agencies to manage natural and physical resources. It also recognises such things as the interconnectedness and intrinsic value of ecosystems, community values, and the interests of current and future generations in the management of resources. |
intrinsic values |
Defined in the RMA, in relation to ecosystems, as those aspects of ecosystems and their constituent parts which have value in their own right, including their biological and genetic diversity; and the essential characteristics that determine an ecosystem's integrity, form, functioning, and resilience. |
IRL |
Industrial Research Ltd, a CRI (NZ) |
IUCN |
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource, now known as The World Conservation Union. (Int) |
iwi |
Tribal groups |
iwi management plan |
An iwi planning document recognised by an iwi authority. It may include planning for social, economic and resource management issues based on tribal management and self-development. (NZ) |
| J |
|
|---|
kaimoana |
Food from the sea |
kaitiaki |
Iwi, hapū or whānau group with the responsibilities of kaitiakitanga; |
kaitiakitanga |
The responsibilities and kaupapa, passed down from the ancestors, for tangata whenua to take care of the places, natural resources and other taonga in their rohe, and the mauri of those places, resources and taonga. |
kaumātua |
Elders, decision-makers for the iwi or hapū |
kaupapa |
Plan, strategy, tactics, methods, fundamental principles |
kawa |
Protocols, proper ways of doing things |
kawanatanga |
Government, the right of the Crown under the Treaty of Waitangi to govern and make laws |
kohanga reo |
Māori language early education centres |
korero |
Discussion, debate |
Kyoto Protocol |
An agreement under the UNFCCC whereby developed countries have agreed to meet specific greenhouse gas emission reductions by specified dates, the targets of which were amended in 2001. (see climate change) (Int) |
| L |
|
|---|
Landcare Research |
Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd, Manaaki Whenua, a CRI (NZ) |
Landcare Trust |
New Zealand Landcare Trust, established in 1996 and administered by MfE, its aim to promote sustainable land management practices and help communities become more involved in land management issues. (NZ) |
LGA |
Local Government Act 1974 (NZ) |
LGNZ |
Local Government New Zealand (or the New Zealand Local Government Association Inc.), of which all 86 local authorities are members. Its purpose is to promote the national interests of local authorities through promoting collective policy views, information sharing and member development. (NZ) |
local government/local authority |
Generic terms for the sub-national form of government, which includes regional councils, territorial authorities and unitary authorities. (NZ) |
local government model |
The type of local government structure operating in a region or district - currently either a unitary authority or separate regional council (for a region) and territorial authorities (for the districts within a region). (NZ) |
London Convention |
The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 (Int) |
LTA |
Land Transport Act 1993 (NZ) |
LTSA |
Land Transport Safety Authority of New Zealand, a Crown entity responsible for promoting land transport safety. The LTSA works with several road safety partners at national, regional and local levels including the New Zealand Police, Transit New Zealand, the Ministry of Transport, the Accident Compensation Corporation, local authorities and the Road Safety Trust. (NZ) |
| M |
|
|---|
MAF |
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (NZ) |
mahinga kai |
Places where food and other resources are traditionally gathered, and the gathering and management of those resources |
mainland island |
Conservation on mainland New Zealand, isolated by means of fencing, geographical features or, more commonly, intensive management, for the purpose of protecting and restoring habitats and ecological processes. |
mana |
Respect, dignity, status, influence, power |
mana whenua |
Traditional status, rights and responsibilities of hapū as residents in their rohe |
marae |
Local community and its meeting-places and buildings |
MARPOL |
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/78 (Int) |
matauranga |
Traditional knowledge |
mauri |
Essential life force, the spiritual power and distinctiveness that enables each thing to exist as itself |
MED |
Ministry of Economic Development (NZ) |
MFAT |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ) |
MfE |
Ministry for the Environment (NZ) |
MFish |
Ministry of Fisheries (NZ) |
MHC |
Māori Heritage Council, established under the Historic Places Trust Act 1993 (NZ) |
MOH |
Ministry of Health (NZ) |
MoRST |
Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (NZ) |
MOT |
Ministry of Transport (NZ) |
MSA |
Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand, a Crown entity established under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 and responsible to the Minister of Transport. Its principal objective is to undertake activities that promote a safe maritime environment and provide effective marine pollution prevention and an effective marine oil pollution response system, at reasonable cost. (NZ) |
MTA |
Maritime Transport Act 1994 (NZ) |
| N |
|
|---|
national environmental standards |
Tools used to set nationwide standards for the state of a natural resource. (NZ) |
national policy statement |
Provides national policy guidance under the RMA for matters that are considered to be of environmental importance. (NZ) |
NGO |
Non-Governmental Organisation |
NIWA |
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, a CRI (NZ) |
non-contact recreation |
Recreational pursuits not involving a significant risk of water ingestion, including fishing, commercial and recreational boating, and limited body contact incidental to shoreline activity. |
non-point source pollution |
Source of pollution in which wastes are not released at one specific, identifiable point but from a number of points that are spread out and difficult to identify and control |
non-potable |
Water not suitable for drinking |
NPMS |
National Pest Management Strategy, the principal mechanism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, at a national level, for the effective management or eradication of pests and unwanted organisms that become established in New Zealand. (NZ) |
NPS |
see national policy statement |
NZCA |
New Zealand Conservation Authority, an independent statutory body appointed by the Minister of Conservation, its purpose to advise on DOC's policy and activities at the national level. The Authority represents the long-term public interest in conservation, and is closely involved in conservation planning, policy and management advice. (NZ) |
NZCPS |
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, produced under the RMA (NZ) |
NZHPT |
New Zealand Historic Places Trust (see Historic Places Trust) |
| O |
|
|---|
OECD |
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, an organisation currently made up of 30 member countries committed to a market economy. It provides governments a setting in which to discuss and develop economic, social and environmental policy. (Int) |
organic agriculture |
Broadly defined as a whole system of ecologically sustainable agriculture that relies on biological processes to maintain the fertility of the soil and the health of plants and animals. |
| P |
|
|---|
pa |
Site of former Māori occupation, often in a strategic location such as a hilltop. |
PCE |
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (NZ) |
persistent |
Does not break down easily in the environment |
pesticide |
Chemical poisons used to kill pests. Includes herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. |
PGSF |
Public Good Science Fund, administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST). (NZ) |
point source pollution |
Source of pollution in which wastes are released at one specific, identifiable point. |
pollution |
Undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of the air, water, or land that can harmfully affect the health, survival, or activities of human or other living organisms. |
potable |
Water suitable, safe, or prepared for drinking. |
precautionary principle |
Taking a cautious approach to development and environmental management decisions when information is uncertain, unreliable or inadequate. |
primary energy |
The amount of energy produced from an energy source before losses through conversion processes and transmission (see consumer energy and conversion efficiency). |
| Q |
|
|---|
QMS |
Quota Management System, a system based on individual transferable property rights and used to manage New Zealand commercial fisheries. (NZ) |
| R |
|
|---|
rāhui |
Protection of a place or resources by forbidding access or harvest for a period. |
Ramsar Convention |
The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty providing the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are 125 contracting parties to the Convention, with 1078 wetland sites, totalling 81.9 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. (Int) |
rangatira |
Chief, leader |
rangatiratanga |
Rights of autonomous self-regulation, the authority of the iwi or hapū to make decisions and control resources |
RC |
see regional council |
RCD |
Rabbit Calicivirus Disease, now referred to as RHD |
regional coastal plan |
Must be prepared by all regional councils to help manage resources in the coastal marine area of that region. It may form part of a regional plan. (NZ) |
regional council |
Local government structure responsible for promoting the sustainable management of natural and physical resources, for ensuring that environmental planning is carried out in an integrated fashion and for carrying out a number of other regional functions. There are 12 in New Zealand. (NZ) |
regional plan |
May be prepared by regional councils to help manage the resources for which they are responsible. (NZ) (see regional coastal plan) |
regional policy statement |
Must be prepared by all regional councils to provide an overview of the resource management issues of the region and policies and methods to achieve integrated management of the natural and physical resources of the whole region. (NZ) |
renewable energy |
Includes energy that comes from sources such as the sun, wind, waves, tides, ocean currents, the hydrological cycle, biomass and geothermal sources. |
resource consent |
Consent for activity regulated under the RMA. Resource consents include land use consents, subdivision consents, coastal permits, water permits and discharge permits and can be obtained from the responsible public authority through a statutory process. |
RHD |
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, previously called RCD |
Rio + 10 |
see WSSD |
Rio Declaration |
Declaration on Environment and Development adopted at UNCED, containing 27 principles that aim to guide the international community in its efforts to achieve sustainable development. (Int) |
risk |
The chance of something happening that will have an impact upon objectives. It is measured in terms of consequences and likelihood. (AS/NZS 4360:1995) |
risk analysis |
A systematic use of available information to determine how often specified events may occur and the magnitude of their likely consequences. (AS/NZS 4360:1995) |
risk assessment |
The process used to determine risk management priorities by evaluating and comparing the level of risk against pre-determined standards, target risk levels or other criteria. (AS/NZS 4360:1995) |
risk management |
The systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to the tasks of identifying, analysing, assessing, treating and monitoring risk. (AS/NZS 4360:1995) |
RMA |
Resource Management Act 1991 (NZ) |
rohe |
Geographical territory of an iwi or hapū |
rongōa |
Plants traditionally used for medicinal purposes |
ropu |
Organisation, group, team |
RPMS |
Regional Pest Management Strategy, the principal mechanism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, at a regional level, for the effective management or eradication of pests and unwanted organisms that become established in New Zealand. (NZ) |
RPS |
Regional Policy Statement, produced under the RMA (NZ) |
runanga |
Committee of senior decision-makers of an iwi or hapū |
| S |
|
|---|
SMF |
Sustainable Management Fund, administered by Ministry for the Environment, its purpose to support the community, industry, iwi, and local government in a wide range of practical environmental management initiatives, by funding projects that provide outcomes with national benefit. (NZ) |
SOE |
State of the Environment |
SOE reporting |
see environmental performance indicators programme |
SPREP |
South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, a regional organisation established by the governments and administrations of the Pacific region to look after its environment. SPREP's members total 26, consisting of all 22 Pacific island countries and territories, and four developed countries with direct interests in the region: Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America. (Int) |
stakeholders |
Individuals, groups or organisations that are affected by and/or have an interest in a particular issue. |
statutory |
Related to legislation or prescribed in law or regulation |
stormwater discharge |
Precipitation that does not evaporate or infiltrate into the ground due to impervious land surfaces but instead flows over these surfaces picking up pollutants before being channelled into drain/sewer systems and discharged into receiving water bodies such as streams and estuaries. |
strategic plan |
A long-term flexible plan that does not regulate activities but rather outlines the means to achieve certain results, and provides the means to alter the course of action should the desired ends change. |
sustainability |
The ability to continue an activity for a long period of time while maintaining diverse, healthy and productive ecosystems. |
sustainable development |
Definitions of sustainable development worldwide tend to focus on one of three concepts: meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the needs of future generations to do the same; harmonising or integrating social, economic and environmental goals; and living within the carrying capacity of the earth. Sustainable development is seen as a process of change rather than a goal, involving a new way of doing things, a way that recognises linkages and reflects a set of values that are participatory and inclusive. |
sustainable management |
Defined under the RMA as managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources in a way, or at a rate, which enables people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural well being and for their health and safety while (a) sustaining the potential of natural and physical resources (excluding minerals) to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations; (b) safeguarding the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil, and ecosystems; and (c) avoiding, remedying, or mitigating any adverse effects of activities on the environment. |
| T |
|
|---|
TA |
see territorial authority |
tangata whenua |
People of the land. The Māori iwi or hapū that has mana whenua over a particular area |
taonga |
Valued resources, assets, prized possessions both material and non-material |
tapu |
Sacredness, spiritual power or protective force |
te reo |
The Māori language |
te taiao |
The natural environment |
territorial authority |
Local government structure, either a city council or district council (including the four unitary authorities). There are 74 territorial authorities in New Zealand (15 city and 59 district councils), responsible for the provision of local services and land use planning. (see local government model and regional council) (NZ) |
territorial sea |
Those areas of sea from low-water mark along New Zealand's coast out to a distance of 12 nautical miles. |
tikanga |
Customary correct ways of doing things, traditions |
TPK |
Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry of Māori Development (NZ) |
Transfund New Zealand |
Provider of nationally sourced road and public transport funding A Crown entity, created by the Transit New Zealand Act 1989, responsible for allocating funds from the National Roads Account to provide an integrated road network for New Zealand. (NZ) |
transgenic |
A plant or animal that has had genes transferred to it from another species. |
Transit New Zealand |
A Crown entity created by the Transit New Zealand Act 1989, responsible for managing the state highway system. (NZ) |
Treaty of Waitangi |
The founding document of New Zealand as a nation, given legal effect in its incorporation into various statutes, particularly for environmental and resource management. By the Treaty, Māori ceded to the Crown the right to govern, and in return the Crown confirmed and guaranteed the rangatiratanga of tangata whenua. (NZ) |
triple bottom line |
The term is used as a framework for measuring and reporting corporate performance against economic, social and environmental parameters, thus widening the scope of traditional corporate reporting. |
TSE |
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, a disease of the neurological system causing spongy degeneration of the brain with progressive dementia. Examples in humans include CJD and kuru and among animals include scrapie and BSE. (see BSE and vCJD) |
tupuna |
Ancestors |
turangawaewae |
Home, ancestral area or marae, literally 'a place to stand' |
| U |
|
|---|
UNCED |
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (or the 'Earth Summit'), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 1992 at which more than 178 Governments adopted Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the Statement of Principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests. In addition, two treaties were opened for signature: the CBD and the UNFCCC. (Int) |
UNCLOS |
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (Int) |
UNEP |
United Nations Environment Programme, established in 1972 to coordinate the environmental activities of the United Nations. (Int) |
UNFCCC |
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a treaty signed at UNCED by more than 150 countries. Its ultimate objective is the 'stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic [human-induced] interference with the climate system'. The treaty took effect in March 1994 upon ratification by more than 50 countries; a total of some 160 nations have now ratified. (see climate change and Kyoto Protocol) (Int) |
unitary authority |
A territorial authority that exercises the functions, duties and powers of both a regional council and a city or district council. There are four unitary authorities in New Zealand - Nelson City Council, and Tasman, Marlborough and Gisborne District Councils. (NZ) |
upoko |
Head, leader |
| V |
|
|---|
vCJD |
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, identified in 1996 as a previously unrecognised form of CJD (a human transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or TSE), having a novel pathology and consistent disease pattern. Exposure to BSE is the most likely explanation for the emergence of the disease |
| W - Z |
|
|---|
wāhi taonga |
Places of historical and traditional significance |
wāhi tapu |
Special and sacred places |
waiata |
Songs, lyrics |
wananga |
Place of education and research, university |
wastewater |
Water containing waste including greywater, blackwater or water contaminated by waste contact, including process-generated and contaminated rainfall runoff. |
water cycle |
see hydrological cycle |
WCED |
World Commission on Environment and Development, an independent commission set up by the UN General Assembly in 1983 with the brief to develop 'a global agenda for change'. Specifically, a strategy was to be formulated which would allow sustainable development to be achieved by the year 2000. (see Brundtland Report) (Int) |
whaikorero |
Oratory, speeches |
whakapapa |
Genealogy, ancestry, identify with place, hapu and iwi |
whānau |
Family groups |
WHO |
World Health Organisation, of the United Nations (Int) |
WSSD |
World Summit on Sustainable Development (also known as Rio + 10), a 10-year review of global change since UNCED, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa in September 2002. (Int) |
WTO |
World Trade Organisation, an international organisation dealing with the global rules of trade between nations. (Int) |
