Stronger Law.Better Future.

EDS combines staunch advocacy with relationship building to deliver lasting environmental protection.

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We do three things to achieve improved environmental outcomes.

Our policy team researches, develops and advocates for environmental solutions.

Our litigation enforces and strengthens the law, ensuring an environmental voice is heard in the courts.

Our events bring people together to share knowledge and build momentum.

What we do

Media releases

24 March 2025

EDS responds to RM Reform announcement

The Government has announced its blueprint for reform of the resource management system. EDS welcomes spatial planning and environmental limits but some proposals are of serious concern.
The Government has announced its blueprint for reform of the resource management system. EDS welcomes spatial planning and environmental limits but some proposals are of serious concern.
18 March 2025

EDS addresses questions on resource management reforms

EDS has published two new reports that address key questions facing policy makers in ‘phase 3’ of the government’s resource management reforms.
EDS has published two new reports that address key questions facing policy makers in ‘phase 3’ of the government’s resource management reforms.
12 March 2025

Infrastructure Summit should prioritise environmental outcomes.

The upcoming Government's Infrastructure Summit highlights the need to balance development with environmental responsibility.
The upcoming Government's Infrastructure Summit highlights the need to balance development with environmental responsibility.
3 March 2025

EDS Newsletter March 2025

Read what's to come this month at EDS!
Read what's to come this month at EDS!
27 February 2025

Conservation reform needed but proposed changes need improvement

EDS supports modernising conservation management but says proposed changes need strengthening.
EDS supports modernising conservation management but says proposed changes need strengthening.
18 February 2025

Some good news for conservation

A $19 million investment in conservation a good start but not enough.
A $19 million investment in conservation a good start but not enough.

Featured content

Conference

Dollars & Sense: Making the economy work for nature

12-14 May 2025
Grand Millennium Hotel, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Conference

Ambition. Accountability. Action.

8-9 September 2025
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

EDS in the news

25 March 2025

RMA overhaul will need a watchdog to keep environment in check says Environmental Defence Society

If the Resource Management Act overhaul loosens rules, the government will need a watchdog to keep the environment in check.
If the Resource Management Act overhaul loosens rules, the government will need a watchdog to keep the environment in check.
25 February 2025

QEII Trust welcomes budget reprieve

Funding to QEII is good environmental news in a tough year for conservation.
Funding to QEII is good environmental news in a tough year for conservation.
20 January 2025

Fears high country land could be planted in pine under government’s climate plan

Critics say a plan to put pine trees on Department of Conservation land is a half-baked scheme that will not work - and could undo the millions spent removing wilding pines.
Critics say a plan to put pine trees on Department of Conservation land is a half-baked scheme that will not work - and could undo the millions spent removing wilding pines.
16 January 2025

The environment’s most important year for decades

Against a backdrop of disconcerting decisions affecting the environment, EDS's CE Gary Taylor urges that we slow down this year and get it right.
Against a backdrop of disconcerting decisions affecting the environment, EDS's CE Gary Taylor urges that we slow down this year and get it right.
30 November 2024

A river has its day in court

EDS asks the Environment Court to advise who has responsibility for the Rakaia Water Conservation Order.
EDS asks the Environment Court to advise who has responsibility for the Rakaia Water Conservation Order.
15 November 2024

Environmental Defence Society on charges to national parks

Proposals to modernise the conservation system are welcome, including increasing revenue opportunities for biodiversity.
Proposals to modernise the conservation system are welcome, including increasing revenue opportunities for biodiversity.

Featured content

EDS Report

Exploring the fundamental questions for resource management law reform in Aotearoa New Zealand, Paper 1: Context

Resource management laws require stability.
EDS Report

Exploring the fundamental questions for resource management law reform in Aotearoa New Zealand, Paper 2: The scope of the system

New RMA laws need to be carefully targeted to address problems.

Law and policy submissions

26 February 2025

Submission on Modernising Conservation Land Management

Conservation management planning system in need of improvement but proposals not good enough.

Conservation management planning system in need of improvement but proposals not good enough.

10 February 2025

Draft Submission on Exploring Charging for Access to Some Public Conservation Land Discussion Document

EDS supports enabling DOC to charge for access to secure increased funding to support management of visitor pressures at high pressure sites and better protect conservation values.

EDS supports enabling DOC to charge for access to secure increased funding to support management of visitor pressures at high pressure sites and better protect conservation values.

5 February 2025

Submission on the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill

EDS has lodged its submission on the RM2 Bill. We strongly oppose proposals that will limit the ability to manage fishing impacts on marine biodiversity. Submissions close on 10 February.

EDS has lodged its submission on the RM2 Bill. We strongly oppose proposals that will limit the ability to manage fishing impacts on marine biodiversity. Submissions close on 10 February.

31 January 2025

Submission on the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill

EDS has lodged its submission on the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill with the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee. The Bill proposes a new framework by which offshore renewables will be authorised. Submissions close on 6 February.

EDS has lodged its submission on the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill with the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee. The Bill proposes a new framework by which offshore renewables will be authorised. Submissions close on 6 February.

28 January 2025

Submission on proposed measures for Hauraki Gulf rock lobster (CRA 2)

EDS calls for stronger action to rebuild rock lobster populations and restore kelp reef systems in the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty (CRA 2).

EDS calls for stronger action to rebuild rock lobster populations and restore kelp reef systems in the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty (CRA 2).

10 January 2025

Submission on the Proposed Regulatory Standards Bill

The Proposed Bill is a powerful constitutional shift that undermines collective environmental and cultural interests.

The Proposed Bill is a powerful constitutional shift that undermines collective environmental and cultural interests.

Aotearoa New Zealand is at a crucial time with biodiversity and climate in crisis. Help us lead it in the right direction.