The Government is proposing to spend billions to get New Zealand working again after the COVID-19 lockdown ends. At the same time, New Zealand faces rising greenhouse gas emissions and an ecological crisis with 4000 species at risk of extinction. New Zealand can help both nature and ourselves, to recover if the Government makes smart investments and avoids mistakes of the past.  

This briefing note provides suggestions for investment the New Zealand Government can make as part of an economic stimulus that will enable New Zealand to emerge from this crisis more resilient and with an improved environment.

Recommendations

1. Electrifying New Zealand’s rail system
2. Accelerating outstanding Department of Conservation (DOC) capital investments such as infrastructure repairs and upgrades, fencing, and track maintenance
3. Significantly boosting the Conservation Tourism Levy fund to address a reduction in levy revenue and complete work in places under tourism pressure while numbers are low
4. Expanding funding for local councils to provide clean domestic water and reduce pollution from sewage and stormwater.