Version 1

NZ Taxonomy -
Agriculture and Forestry

The NZ Taxonomy for Agriculture and Forestry Version 1 has been published to support voluntary use by market participants.

Version 1 includes criteria for climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience activities. It is designed to support the credible allocation of capital towards sustainable activities by:

  • Strengthening investor confidence in low-emissions investment claims
  • Reducing the risk of greenwashing
  • Improving the comparability of investment products and sustainability disclosures
 

Aotearoa New Zealand’s sustainable finance taxonomy is an ongoing project. The NZ Taxonomy for the agriculture and forestry, energy, and construction and buildings sectors, will be submitted for consideration for endorsement by the New Zealand Government in December 2026. 

You can read more about the NZ Taxonomy’s purpose and process for development here.

The NZ Taxonomy for Agriculture and Forestry Version 1 includes criteria for climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience activities. It is designed to support the credible allocation of capital towards sustainable activities by:

  • Strengthening investor confidence in low-emissions investment claims
  • Reducing the risk of greenwashing
  • Improving the comparability of investment products and sustainability disclosures
 

Check back here for updates on the publication of the NZ Taxonomy for Agriculture and Forestry Version 1.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s sustainable finance taxonomy is an ongoing project. The NZ Taxonomy for the agriculture and forestry, energy, and construction and buildings sectors, will be submitted for consideration for endorsement by the New Zealand Government in December 2026. You can read more about the NZ Taxonomy’s purpose and process for development here.

Register to download the agriculture and forestry version 1 criteria

Access the NZ Taxonomy AFOLU criteria

Why are we collecting your information?

The NZ Taxonomy for Agriculture and Forestry Version 1 is in the piloting phase until the end of 2026. During this period, we are collecting user information to help us to support uptake and use case development.

You can read our privacy policy here.

The agriculture and forestry sector Technical Advisory Group

The agriculture and forestry Technical Advisory Group (TAG) provides technical input into the methodologies and definitions of a sustainable finance taxonomy that is fit-for-purpose for NZ.

CSF has also undertaken extensive engagement with stakeholders affected by the taxonomy across the financial sector, agriculture and forestry industries, environmental NGOs, science and research bodies, and with iwi and relevant Māori organisations.

TAG members

Technical Advisory Group (TAG) members has included:

  • Andrew Dunningham, Research Group Leader – Economics & Society, Scion
  • Anita Wreford, Professor, Lincoln University
  • Charles Taituha, Whenua Māori Trustee, Te Kukuwai o Kahuwera & Pukemakoiti Trust
  • Dan Coup, Chief Executive, QEII National Trust
  • Elizabeth Rose Heeg, Chief Executive, New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA); Chief Executive, Forest Growers Levy Trust
  • Gavin Marshall, Sustainability Manager, Rabobank New Zealand
  • Glenn Moir, Owner and Director, Forest Management Group; Chair, Canterbury West Coast Wood Council (CWCWC); Director, Forever Forests
  • Graeme Doole, Science Group Manager – Ethical Agriculture, AgResearch
  • Jacqui Aimers, Trustee, Tāne’s Tree Trust; Research Analyst, Forestry Scientist and Ecologist, Aimers Consulting
  • Jeff Ilott, Executive Director, New Zealand Timber Industry Federation (NZTIF); Chief Executive, New Zealand Timber Preservation Council
  • Jo Horrocks, Chief Resilience & Research Officer, Natural Hazards Commission
  • Jonathan Procter, Professor in Natural Hazards, Massey University
  • Kevin Ihaka, Managing Director, Forest Protection Services Trust, FPS Geospatial, FPS Forestry
  • Klaeri Schelhowe, Founder and Managing Director, Scheddebrock
  • Lee Matheson, Principal Consultant and Managing Director, Perrin Ag Consultants
  • Manu Caddie, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Matawai Bio; Founder and Managing Director, IO Ltd; Managing Director, Hikurangi Bioactives LP; Managing Trustee, Kānuka Charitable Trust
  • Marcus Bousfield, Regional Manager – Business, ANZ
  • Marie Henniges, Senior Associate – Climate Risk & Resilience, Howden
  • Nicholas Tait, Senior Partnership Lead – Future Fit Farm Systems, Dairy New Zealand
  • Peter Savage, Director – Sustainable Finance, BNZ
  • Philip Wiles, Senior Manager – Climate Risk, Kiwibank
  • Roger Dungan, General Manager – Strategic Partnerships & Communication, Scion
  • Sally Garden, Project Director, Climate Change Commissi
  • Scott Burnett, Regional Conservation Manager and Climate & Forestry Advocacy Lead, Forest & Bird
  • Simon Love, Head of Sustainability Assurance, AsureQuality
  • Stuart Taylor, General Manager – Farming, Craigmore Sustainables
  • Terina Williams, Senior Investment Strategist – Sustainable Investment, New Zealand Superannuation Fund
  • Turi McFarlane, Head of Rural Sustainability, ASB

 

Observer: Kevin Prime, Beef Farmer, Forester, Beekeeper and Conservationist; Former Environment Court Commissioner

Timeline

Oct 2024

TEG and agriculture/forestry TAG established.

Nov 2024

TEG and agriculture/forestry TAG meetings began.

Mar 2025

Methodological approach finalised, with CoFR review.

Jun 2025

First public consultation opened on the draft NZ Taxonomy agriculture and forestry climate change mitigation criteria. CoFR review.

Sep 2025

Second public consultation opened for agriculture and forestry, including climate change adaptation and resilience criteria. CoFR review.

Dec 2025

Final criteria report for agriculture and forestry sectors. CoFR review.

Mar 2026

NZ Taxonomy for Agriculture and Forestry Version 1 published.

Dec 26

Final NZ Taxonomy for the agriculture and forestry, energy, and construction and buildings sectors submitted for consideration for endorsement by the New Zealand Government.

Resources

Methods paper – climate change mitigation activities' inclusion and categorisation

PDF

Approach to development of the Do No Significant Harm and Minimum Social Safeguards criteria

PDF

Key design recommendations prepared by the Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG)

PDF

Webinars

Public consultation #2: Adaptation and resilience

Sept 22, 2025

Summary of public consultation #1 feedback

Aug 6, 2025

Public consultation #1: Mitigation

May 7, 2025

NZ Taxonomy introduction

Dec 2, 2024

CSF engaged in targeted consultation with stakeholders affected by the NZ Taxonomy across the financial sector, agriculture and forestry industries, environmental NGOs, and with iwi and relevant Māori organisations. If your organisation would like a briefing, please email [email protected].

Learn more about the NZ Taxonomy

In partnership with the New Zealand Government, CSF is working to support New Zealand’s transition to a resilient, low emissions economy, by creating a sustainable finance taxonomy (the NZ Taxonomy). 

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