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Northland Regional Council is one of the key environmental stewards of Northland, dedicated to protecting the region's land, water, coast, and air while supporting sustainable development. In addition to these environmental responsibilities, the Council also plays a significant role in promoting the region's economic, social, and cultural wellbeing.
The Council's efforts in biosecurity are focused on safeguarding Northland's environment, economy, and way of life from the harmful effects of pest animals, plants, and diseases. To promote environmental awareness, the Council's specialist staff host seminars, field days, and school visits aimed at educating the public on various environmental issues. In terms of emergency management, the Council coordinates the region's Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and oversees the region's emergency response efforts.
The Council also looks after navigational safety within Northland's harbours and coastal areas, ensuring safe passage for vessels. In land management, it works to encourage landowners to adopt sustainable practices that bring both economic and social benefits. The Council operates a 24-hour incident response service for pollution control, conducting environmental assessments of industrial and commercial sites, and managing hazardous waste activities.
Tourism and economic development are supported through the Council's Community Trust and subsidiaries, such as Enterprise Northland, an economic development agency, and Destination Northland, the regional tourism organization. In the field of regional and public transport, the Council helps plan the region's transport network and administers Whangarei's bus service.
Environmental planning and monitoring are key functions, with the Council working alongside the community to protect air, land, water, and coastal environments through regional plans, resource consents, and ongoing monitoring. The Council also provides assistance to communities in mitigating the impacts of flooding and ensures water availability by managing water allocation and monitoring its use across the region.