The Government has released criteria for endorsing schemes in New Zealand’s voluntary nature and carbon markets, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard says.

It follows the Government’s May announcement supporting high-integrity voluntary markets.

“For voluntary markets to succeed, participants need confidence that environmental claims are backed by real and measurable outcomes,” Mr Hoggard says.

“Without that trust, it will be hard to attract private investment into nature and climate action across New Zealand.”

The criteria covers governance, transparency, independent assessment, and proof of real environmental outcomes. Guidance on using scientific evidence to measure those outcomes has also been released.

The pathway is designed for New Zealand schemes, including biodiversity-focused and smaller projects that may not fit international accreditation systems.

Endorsement is a quality signal, not a guarantee. It shows a scheme has been independently assessed against New Zealand’s criteria.

“Voluntary markets remain private sector-led, but if we want more investment in nature restoration, biodiversity and climate action, we need systems people can trust. These criteria are an important step,” Mr Hoggard says.

For landowners, iwi, community groups and project developers, endorsement provides a clearer signal of which schemes meet recognised integrity standards. For investors, it offers greater confidence in projects linked to endorsed schemes.

The Government expects the framework to help unlock private investment into projects such as native planting, erosion control, wetland restoration and greenhouse gas removals.

More information on endorsement criteria for New Zealand’s voluntary nature andcarbon markets is available here.