Ecology

“Human use, population, and technology have reached that certain stage where mother Earth no longer accepts our presence with silence.” - Dalai Lama XIV

Environmental issues are becoming more prevalent throughout New Zealand and as a result environmental considerations are an important part of many projects and activities involving our people and communities.

Figuring out what you might need in terms of ecological information can be tricky. Are you interacting with freshwater or marine ecosystems, or do you need to consider flora and fauna? Maybe you’re working on a large project that requires you to minimise or offset your ecological impact, or perhaps to restore vegetation, waterways, and wildlife. Or maybe you just want to ensure your building performs well environmentally, and achieves a high Green Star rating.

Having an understanding of ecological values, services, risks and impacts is integral to the success of what you’re doing, whether you’re a Government or non-Government organisation, in Council, or part of a private enterprise.

Whatever your specific needs are, you want to know that you’re working with someone who knows and works well with the relevant environmental or ecological regulatory authorities. And you want someone who understands your requirements, who is willing to work with you to meet these needs in a pragmatic, timely fashion.

Tonkin + Taylor (T+T) has a dedicated team of ecological experts working throughout New Zealand across a wide range of ecological disciplines covering freshwater, marine, coastal and terrestrial environments.

In addition to maintaining strong working relationships with the relevant regulatory authorities in New Zealand, we keep a comprehensive database of all current policies and plans prepared under the Resource Management Act, and maintain information on and monitor changes to all relevant Acts, regulations, and management strategies.

With specialists based in offices across the country, T+T offers you a comprehensive ecological service, including:

  • Assessment of ecological effects and risk reporting

  • Ecological monitoring programme design and implementation

  • Interpretation of statutory requirements relating to ecological matters

  • Development and implementation of Resource Consent conditions

  • Opportunity and constraints reporting (due diligence) assessments

  • Ecological mitigation and biodiversity offsets

  • Habitat enhancement and restoration

  • Water and sediment quality monitoring design, assessments and reporting

  • Planting plans and revegetation

  • Flora and fauna ecological management plans

  • Strategic advice and policy development at a national and local level including stakeholder engagement

  • Use of multi-spectral imagery camera drones for vegetation mapping

  • Fish passage design and monitoring

  • Sustainable development initiatives and operations at a regional, national and international level, across conservation, ecosystem services, biodiversity, urban development, and agriculatural intensification