In 1986 a New Zealand Wetlands Management Policy was ratified by the New Zealand Government. The need for such a Policy, arose from two factors. Firstly, the extent and quality of wetlands in New Zealand had diminished, and secondly, the great number of agencies involved in the management of wetlands had lead to the fragmented and ineffectual management of wetlands. This study looks at the ways in which New Zealand's economic and political climate has changed since the 1986 policy was formulated. The changes include; reduced intervention in agriculture, government restructuring, a new Environment Act (1986), and the review of the resource management laws. The 1986 Policy is analysed in the context of these changes. The study shows that the 1986 New Zealand Wetlands Management Policy has lost much of its usefulness, and needs reviewing to make it applicable and useful in the future.