Policy and Advisory

NatureBase Land & Water provides environmental policy advice, submission support and industry advisory services for organisations and businesses across New Zealand.

Talk to Our Team

15+ Years Industry Experience

Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP)

Canterbury Based, Nationwide Support

Agricultural and Industry Policy Expertise

NatureBase Land and Water supports industry organisations and sector bodies with policy analysis, submissions and advice on the practical implications of environmental regulation. This includes support through the transition from the RMA to the new resource management system.

Our services

Environmental Policy and Advisory Services

Environmental policy can have significant implications for how businesses operate and how sectors plan for the future. We help you identify what matters, assess the practical effects and contribute clear, well-supported feedback.

Policy Analysis and Regulatory Advice

Understand proposed changes to environmental legislation, national direction, regional plans and district plans. We assess the implications for your organisation, sector or activities, highlighting key risks, opportunities and matters requiring a response.

Submissions and Policy Positions

Develop clear, evidence-based submissions on environmental policy, planning proposals and regulatory reform. We help shape recommendations, explain the reasons behind your position and connect policy wording with practical consequences.

Industry Advice and Member Guidance

Turn complex environmental requirements into accessible guidance for farmers, members and other stakeholders. We prepare briefings, newsletter articles, guidance material and updates tailored to your audience.

Strategic Advice and Policy Capacity

Access additional environmental policy expertise when your team needs it. We support consultation programmes, coordinate feedback and provide advice during busy submission periods, regulatory change or gaps in internal capacity.

FLEXIBLE SUPPORT

Ongoing Advice and Project-Based Support

We offer ongoing advisory arrangements and individual projects, with support tailored to your priorities, deadlines and internal resources.

Ongoing support provides continuity and familiarity with your organisation, helping you track policy developments and maintain consistent positions across related issues.

Project-based support is available for individual submissions, policy reviews, briefing papers or consultation processes. We can lead a defined piece of work or contribute alongside your existing team.

Our CLIENTS

Who We Work With

We support organisations and businesses that need to understand environmental policy, contribute to its development or explain its implications to others. Agriculture and primary production are particular areas of experience, alongside wider environmental and land management issues.

Industry Organisations and Sector Bodies

Policy analysis, submissions and member guidance, with additional capacity during consultation periods and major regulatory change.

Farmers and Rural Businesses

Practical advice on how proposed environmental rules and planning changes could affect your operation, with support to contribute informed feedback.

Organisations and Land Managers

Environmental policy and planning advice for organisations managing land, natural resources, parks, reserves and restoration activities.

how we work

Our Approach to Environmental Policy

Effective policy advice connects regulatory detail with the realities of the people and activities it affects. We take time to understand your priorities, assess the relevant provisions and develop advice that supports clear decisions.

Your priorities guide the work. We begin by understanding your organisation, the issues that matter to you and the outcome you want to achieve.

Analysis considers practical effects. We examine how policy proposals could work in practice, including their implications for operations, costs and environmental management.

Positions are clear and well supported. We bring together relevant evidence, sector knowledge and your feedback to develop focused recommendations.

Communication suits the audience. From detailed submissions to board briefings and member updates, we make complex information accessible and useful.

Our expertise

Our Experience and Credentials

NatureBase Land & Water draws on more than 15 years’ experience across the public and private sectors, including extensive work with agricultural industry organisations.

Our experience includes environmental policy analysis, national and local government submissions, resource management planning and translating regulatory requirements into practical guidance.

Our professional credentials include:

Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP)

Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Member of the Resource Management Law Association (RMLA)

This combination of technical knowledge and sector experience helps us develop advice that considers both environmental objectives and operational realities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an environmental policy adviser do?

An environmental policy adviser helps you understand existing or proposed policy, assess its implications and decide how to respond. This can include reviewing planning provisions, preparing submissions, developing organisational positions and explaining changes to your team or members.

Can you help prepare a submission on a council plan or national policy proposal?

Yes. We can review the proposal, identify relevant issues and prepare a submission that clearly explains your position and requested changes. We can also review a draft prepared by your team or provide advice on specific provisions.

Can you provide extra capacity for our policy team?

Can you provide extra capacity for our policy team?
Yes. We can support a defined project, assist during a busy consultation period or provide ongoing advisory capacity. The scope can include research, policy analysis, drafting, coordinating internal feedback and preparing member communications.

Can you help us understand resource management reform?

Yes. We help organisations assess resource management reform proposals and changes, identify relevant implications and prepare responses or guidance. Advice is tailored to your activities and the stage of the reform process.

Do you also provide resource consent and compliance advice?

Yes. NatureBase Land & Water also provides resource consenting and environmental compliance support. Where a policy issue has implications for a particular activity or site, we can help identify the next steps.

OUR LOCATION

Canterbury Based. Supporting Clients Nationwide.

Christchurch • Canterbury • Throughout New Zealand

NatureBase provides environmental policy advice and submission support throughout New Zealand, with a local base in Canterbury.

We work remotely with industry organisations, businesses and policy teams, with meetings and site visits arranged where they add value. Our support can cover national policy issues, regional planning processes and district plan provisions.

work with us

Let’s Talk About Your Policy Priorities

Related Services

Explore our related services for practical help with environmental planning and regulatory requirements.

Policy and Advisory

Environmental Policy and Advisory Services

Policy Analysis and Regulatory Advice

Submissions and Policy Positions

Industry Advice and Member Guidance

Strategic Advice and Policy Capacity

Ongoing Advice and Project-Based Support

Who We Work With

Industry Organisations and Sector Bodies

Farmers and Rural Businesses

Organisations and Land Managers

Our Approach to Environmental Policy

Our Experience and Credentials

Frequently Asked Questions

Canterbury Based. Supporting Clients Nationwide.

Let’s Talk About Your Policy Priorities

Related Services

Resource
Consents

Environmental Compliance

Policy and Advisory

Environmental Policy and Advisory Services

Policy Analysis and Regulatory Advice

Submissions and Policy Positions

Industry Advice and Member Guidance

Strategic Advice and Policy Capacity

Ongoing Advice and Project-Based Support

Who We Work With

Industry Organisations and Sector Bodies

Farmers and Rural Businesses

Organisations and Land Managers

Our Approach to Environmental Policy

Our Experience and Credentials

Frequently Asked Questions

Canterbury Based. Supporting Clients Nationwide.

Let’s Talk About Your Policy Priorities

Related Services

Resource Consents

Environmental Compliance

Resource
Consents