The Ministry for the Environment has financially supported the New Zealand Landcare Trust from its inception in 1996.

The Ministry for the Environment reports on the state of the New Zealand environment and the way that environmental laws and policies work in practice as part of advice to the Government on action necessary to improve environmental management. Most of the responsibility for day-to-day environmental management rests with local government, particularly the regional councils.

The significant areas of policy for which the Ministry of the Environment is responsible are

resource management; land, air and water quality; waste, hazardous substances and contaminated sites; protection of the ozone layer; and climate change. They advise on the environmental implications of other Government policies, such as Treaty of Waitangi settlements and contribute to interdepartmental work on biological diversity, marine environmental issues, energy and transport.

They consult with local government, resource users, resource managers, and others likely to be affected by changes in policy or legislation, and provide information and advice to assist them