Ecology
PDP provides specialist ecology services to support land development, restoration projects, and resource consent applications across New Zealand.
Our team of ecologists and environmental scientists specialise in ecological reporting, wetland mapping, biodiversity protection, and freshwater assessments. We help you navigate environmental requirements while supporting your broader sustainability goals.
From freshwater and wetland ecosystems to coastal and terrestrial habitats, we offer tailored solutions grounded in science, critical thinking, and practical risk assessment.
We work closely with iwi and local communities, integrating mātauranga Māori and local values into our approach. This ensures every project reflects best practice, meets regulatory and health and safety standards, and contributes to more resilient environmental outcomes.
Services that we provide:
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General Ecological Assessments
- Assessments of Environmental Effects (AEEs)
- Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
- Ecological flora and fauna assessments, monitoring, and design
- Restoration and mitigation planning for land use
- Compliance and resource consent ecological planning
- Offsetting and environmental compensation
- Ecological data analysis and reporting
Freshwater
- Stream Ecological Value (SEV) including restoration, enhancement, and environmental compensation
- Macroinvertebrate, Macrophyte and Periphyton sampling and water quality assessments
- Fish passage assessment, remediation/restoration and design, and fish salvage and translocation
- Watercourse restoration, wetland/riparian planting plans, design considerations and engineering solutions
- Cultural stream health assessments
Terrestrial
- Management and monitoring plans for grounds, flora and fauna, planting, and restoration
- Auditing and peer review
- Managing consent applications for ecological impact
- Aviation/transport, wildlife impact ecology – risk assessments, bird strike reports, wildlife hazard management plans, airport biodiversity plans, ecological studies
- Pest management advice and planning
Wetlands
- Wetland delineation assessments – including our own purpose-built digital application for this purpose
- Wetland Ecological Value (WEV) assessment
- Riparian and wetland management/ restoration/ enhancement plans
- Wetland significant ecological area (SEA) assessments for subdivision rights
- Pre-purchase/ due diligence land use advice
Coastal
- Dune and bird surveys
- Management plans
- Environmental studies
Related projects
Wetland Delineation App
In a Technology and Innovation first PDP has developed a wetland mapping app for Nelson City Council, which forms one of our first official ‘Software as a Service’ offerings to the market.
Mātuku Link Wetland Delineation
The Matuku Link, in Te Henga/Bethells Beach and managed by the Matuku Reserve Trust, is a wetland and forest restoration project.
Can Environmental DNA Solve The Braided River Sampling Conundrum To Better Inform Management?
Inge’s masters research focused on how environmental DNA could be used as a biomonitoring tool in braided rivers.
Rotorua Lakes Council - Water Take Reconsenting
Water supply to Rotorua’s eastern and central area comes from several springs which are culturally significant to Māori, and which have differing ecological values.
eDNAbling Catchment Groups
PDP participated in an eDNA stream testing workshop, supporting local efforts to better understand and protect freshwater ecosystems.
North Island Railway Culverts Assessment And Replacement Design
KiwiRail engaged PDP to provide culvert design and consenting services for ten culverts along the main North Island railway lines identified as high priority due to capacity issues, collapse or blockage, fish passage barriers, and maintenance issues.
Providing Expert Support for the New Zealand Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group (NZAWHG)
PDP serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) to the NZAWHG on behalf of CAA.
Palmerston North Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
PDP was engaged to develop a new Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) to ensure compliance with CAA Part 139 rule requirements.
Ruakākā Energy Park – Environmental Secondment
Meridian Energy is delivering a major renewable energy development near Marsden Point, Northland – a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) and a 130-megawatt solar farm.
Ahuriri Rural Tributaries - Baseline Environmental Assessment
The Ahuriri Tributaries Catchment Group Trust (ATCGT) engaged PDP to establish the baseline conditions of the rural tributaries of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū (the Ahuriri Estuary).
Our Ecology Experts
Anna Madarasz-Smith
Jarred Arthur
Cate Ryan
Emma Willmore
Gemma Scott
Lizzie Civil
