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

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.
16 February 2025

Environmental groups clarify qualities of stewardship land in meeting with Prime Minister

EDS and other ENGOs presented the prime minister with a memorandum on the quality of stewardship land.
EDS and other ENGOs presented the prime minister with a memorandum on the quality of stewardship land.
11 February 2025

EDS guide to Fast-track Approvals Act goes live

The Environmental Defence Society has launched its comprehensive guide to the Fast-track Approvals Act which came into effect in December 2024. Applications for consents under the act went live last week.
The Environmental Defence Society has launched its comprehensive guide to the Fast-track Approvals Act which came into effect in December 2024. Applications for consents under the act went live last week.
2 February 2025

EDS Newsletter January 2025

Read our first Newsletter of 2025!
Read our first Newsletter of 2025!
31 January 2025

Offshore Renewable Energy Bill a step in the right direction, with some improvements needed

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.
20 January 2025

2025: Slow down and get it right: opinion piece by Gary Taylor

2025 is a critical year for Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural world. With the entire environmental management system slated for reform, it's the most important year in decades. If the hot-headed excesses of last year’s law-making continue, it will lead to terrible long-term outcomes.
2025 is a critical year for Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural world. With the entire environmental management system slated for reform, it's the most important year in decades. If the hot-headed excesses of last year’s law-making continue, it will lead to terrible long-term outcomes.

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

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.
21 October 2024

The big change to the Resource Management Act very little is known about

The verdict on freshly announced plans for the replacement of resource management came in a swirl of words. Minister for Resource Management Reform and Infrastructure Chris Bishop and ACT's Simon Court had just delivered a speech to hundreds of resource management lawyers at their annual conference.
The verdict on freshly announced plans for the replacement of resource management came in a swirl of words. Minister for Resource Management Reform and Infrastructure Chris Bishop and ACT's Simon Court had just delivered a speech to hundreds of resource management lawyers at their annual conference.
18 October 2024

Hauraki Gulf protections – perfect can be enemy of the good

Cabinet’s late decision to allow ring-net fishing in two of the new high protection areas has generated a chorus of disapproval but we can’t afford to get bogged down in wrangling for another decade.
Cabinet’s late decision to allow ring-net fishing in two of the new high protection areas has generated a chorus of disapproval but we can’t afford to get bogged down in wrangling for another decade.

Featured content

EDS Report

Restoring the Marlborough Sounds: An oceans reform case study

Reversing long-term degradation of the Marlborough Sounds will require a concerted and integrated effort.
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Law and policy submissions

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.

18 December 2024

Submission on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill

The Bill should not proceed because it is based on flawed understandings of the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, wrongly attempts to re-write parts of our constitution and is driving dissension and discord amongst our peoples.

The Bill should not proceed because it is based on flawed understandings of the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, wrongly attempts to re-write parts of our constitution and is driving dissension and discord amongst our peoples.

13 December 2024

Submission on Proposed Amendments to the Biosecurity Act 1993

Review of the Biosecurity Act needs to appropriately recognise and respond to threats to indigenous biodiversity.

Review of the Biosecurity Act needs to appropriately recognise and respond to threats to indigenous biodiversity.

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