Taumata Taiao guides project teams through the process and requirements that give effect to Waka Kotahi environmental and sustainability policies, other strategic objectives, outcomes and legal requirements during the development and management of the land transport system.
Z/19 Taumata Taiao – Environmental and Sustainability Standard [PDF, 1.4 MB]
It applies throughout the lifecycle of Waka Kotahi infrastructure delivery, from business case development to delivery, including maintenance and operations.
Business Case Approach guidance
View larger image [JPG, 123 KB]
All Waka Kotahi project teams for land transport infrastructure projects or maintenance activities need to implement the standard, its requirements, associated guidelines and specifications.
Approved organisations (AOs) are also encouraged to implement the standard, its requirements, associated guidelines and specifications for activities that are funded by the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) or which receive funding administered by Waka Kotahi.
If project teams wish to request a technical departure from the requirements of the standard, the standard includes a formal process for them to follow.
Request for technical departure template [DOCX, 135 KB]
The standard covers the following areas:
As shown in the diagram above, Taumata Taiao incorporates and is supported by a series of guidelines, specifications and tools, which set out the detailed process and requirements for specific technical areas.
A key deliverable of Taumata Taiao is the environmental screen, a checklist of questions designed to identify whether an option could have environmental and sustainability opportunities and sensitivities.
The standard's new name of Taumata Taiao was gifted by Te Mātangi, our Māori Partnerships Team. The new name acknowledges the connection of the standard to Toitū Te Taiao – Our Sustainability Action Plan and Tiakina Te Taiao – Our Sustainability Monitoring Report.
Toitū Te Taiao – Our Sustainability Action Plan
Tiakina Te Taiao – Our Sustainability Monitoring Report
Taumata means supreme, highest or most elevated, and taiao commonly means environment (it can also be used to describe the natural world and nature).
Together, this name puts te taiao, the environment, at the forefront of the mahi we do at Waka Kotahi, because the way we look after the environment is the way it looks after us. Everyone involved in building and maintaining the land transport system needs to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations as kaitiaki, and planning for future generations to do the same.
The concept of kaitiakitanga outlines our responsibility to look after the environment, including people, in a respectful and sustainable manner. Taumata Taiao reminds and encourages us to do the same by sharing our knowledge and helping others to uphold our environmental management principles.
For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz
