Environment Strategy
We’re developing an Environment Strategy to support Kāpiti to be resilient and a great place to live for current and future generations.
The Environment Strategy will be for all of Kāpiti and will set out what needs to happen to realise our collective aspirations for this place we call home. Through Vision Kāpiti, our community expressed loud and clear the value we all place on our unique local environment. The care that goes into looking after our place is evident in the significant amount of work our community puts in to protecting, restoring and enhancing, the things that make Kāpiti special.
We are co-designing an Environment Strategy with iwi partners to bring together and build on the many great environmental initiatives that are already underway. The Environment Strategy will coordinate our efforts by aligning existing strategic direction and strengthening partnerships and collaboration to ensure that everything we do contributes to our community’s vision for the environment.
What it is
This strategy is about the places and spaces we live in and our connections to them. We will look at:
- Biodiversity
- Air quality
- Water/Ocean health
- Land use
The strategy will develop guiding principles to influence future decisions. It will discuss how we will partner and collaborate to build our understanding and maximise the impact of the work we all do.
The Environment Strategy will recognise the significant planning and work that’s already gone into developing our strategic approach to the environment. This strategy is about bringing all this together to create a consistent approach, rather than starting from scratch and coming up with all new ideas. Its goal is to connect everything to Vision Kāpiti and ensure that what we do always has this in mind.
What’s happening
The Environment Strategy is a Top 10 priority for Council and elected members have contributed significantly to early strategy development. In May 2025, Council agreed to a revised approach to delivering the Strategy.
This approach involves working in close collaboration with iwi partners to co-design a strategy which we will then test with the community in 2026.
Next steps
Once the details of the co-design approach are worked through with iwi partners, we will complete the draft and test this with the community. After public feedback, we will draft the final version of the Environment Strategy.
The strategy will be supported by the development of a separate action plan to set out what we will do to deliver on the Strategy. This will integrate into our Long Term Planning process for the 2027 LTP and will also look to improve ways of working and address any gaps identified through the strategy process.
Timeline
An updated timeline will be available once the co-design process is agreed with iwi partners. We expect this process to begin in December 2025.
Community aspirations for the environment
The Environment Strategy is about how we will deliver on the community’s aspirations as set out in Vision Kāpiti. Though significant engagement during 2023/24 Vision Kāpiti we’ve heard from the community about where we are now, where we want to be by 2060+ and the changes we need to make to get there.
Land use
Current state
We are concerned about balancing development with the need for housing growth in a way that limits environmental impacts.
Shifts we need to make
Implementing strategic growth plans
Enhancing green spaces
Protecting agricultural and conservation land.
Desired future state
We want sustainable land use that accommodates growth whilst preserving productivity and natural character.
Air quality
Current state
We are satisfied with local air quality, though we have some concerns about the impacts of development.
Shifts we need to make
Continuing practices that support and protect good air quality.
Expanding green spaces.
Desired future state
We want pristine air quality with minimal pollution. We want sustainable development practices that support this.
Biodiversity
Current state
We place high value on our natural environment and show strong support for local conservation initiatives.
Shifts we need to make
Increasing native planting
Strengthen pest control programs
Reduce damaging environmental practices.
Desired future state
We want enhanced natural spaces with diverse ecosystems and protected habitats.
Water / ocean health
Current state
We have a strong appreciation for our proximity to water bodies, as well as some concerns about erosion and water quality.
Shifts we need to make
Improving stormwater management
Supporting coastal defences
Enhancing water quality.
Desired future state
We want clean, healthy waters with effective management of water use, erosion and flooding.