Government Moves to Strengthen Biodiversity Investment Welcomed by Federated Farmers

Supplied by Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers has welcomed the Government’s latest announcement aimed at encouraging greater private investment in biodiversity protection and emissions reduction projects across farms and other privately owned land.The initiative introduces two recognised pathways designed to provide greater confidence for investors and landowners that environmental restoration and protection projects are credible, measurable, and delivering genuine outcomes.

Federated Farmers Vice President Colin Hurst says the announcement aligns closely with the organisation’s recommendations for establishing a practical and workable biodiversity credit system in New Zealand. “We’re pleased to see the introduction of pathways that give assurance to both investors and landowners that biodiversity projects are legitimate and making a real difference,” Hurst says.
“This reflects the direction we outlined in 2023 as essential for a functional biodiversity credit framework.”

Associate Minister for the Environment and Agriculture, Andrew Hoggard, confirmed that high-quality international schemes accredited by recognised bodies will be acknowledged under the new approach. A separate domestic endorsement pathway will also be established, with independent assessment against benchmark standards to ensure integrity and transparency.Federated Farmers says any mechanism that increases opportunities for biodiversity protection and restoration on private land is a positive step forward.

Farmers and rural landowners are already undertaking significant environmental work, including wetland restoration, native planting, habitat enhancement, and initiatives to reduce methane emissions. However, such projects can involve considerable upfront costs as well as ongoing maintenance commitments. Hurst says attracting external investment through companies, benefactors, and verified environmental markets could help bring more projects to fruition while rewarding landowners who are taking proactive steps.More than 5,000 areas of special ecological value are permanently protected under covenants with the QEII National Trust, many of which are located on farmland.

Federated Farmers has also advocated for increased core government funding for the QEII Trust to ensure it can meet ongoing demand from landowners seeking to establish covenants.QEII Trust Chief Executive Dan Coup says programmes that enhance support for biodiversity outcomes are welcome, provided they deliver real results for nature. “If assurance that the work being undertaken is authentic encourages more partnerships and investment, that’s a positive outcome,” Coup says.
“However, we are still reviewing how these new pathways will align with our existing work. Under current resource constraints, our capacity to manage increased demand is limited.”

Federated Farmers believes the development also presents wider opportunities for New Zealand’s food and fibre sector.

International consumers are increasingly seeking verified sustainability credentials, and robust biodiversity programmes can strengthen New Zealand’s global reputation for responsible food production.

“This has the potential to deliver a genuine win-win,” Hurst says. “It supports biodiversity protection on-farm while reinforcing the story New Zealand tells the world about how our food is produced.”