The circular economy in Aotearoa New Zealand: a critical evaluation of policy and its current prospects

ABSTRACT Between 2017 and 2023, the circular economy was increasingly referenced by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) as a guide to more sustainable production and waste systems. It became an overarching idea for how to address many environmental challenges. MfE and MBIE statements refer to embedding circular principles into the economy and the role of central government in stewarding circular economy processes. They have, thus, led central government thinking on the circular economy, MfE focusing on the environment and MBIE on economic productivity and business. The circular economy is, however, an ambiguous and contested concept. This article examines references to the circular economy by MfE and MBIE using a framework that distinguishes between strong and weak models of circularity, organised around four themes: problematisations of the linear economy, the rationale for transitioning to a circular economy, policy tools, and the allocation of responsibility. The analysis concludes that both ministries have articulated weak models of circularity that neglect the transformational potential of a circular economy agenda. The article also examines the prospects for the circular economy agenda in the post‐2023 election context, given current government scepticism towards many existing environmental protection institutions.