News archive

11 December 2025 | RNZ

Coalition reveals Resource Management Act replacement, but will it stand the test of time?

11 December 2025 | NZ Herald

Government bins RMA, promises new planning laws will slash consents, add $3b a year to economy

11 December 2025 | RNZ

RMA changes: transformational or concerning?

11 December 2025 | Newsroom

RMA overhaul puts private property rights first

11 December 2025 | Newsroom

Even with the RMA gone, the fast-track survives

11 December 2025 | Newsroom

‘Entire system more permissive’: How to fix the RMA fixes

26 November 2025 | BusinessDesk

Fast-track amendment could trigger surge in judicial reviews

17 November 2025 | Newsroom

Fast-track changes may speed up ministers’ pet projects, critic warns

17 November 2025 | RNZ

Dipping into Lake Pūkaki: Locals and experts conflicted over Meridian Energy proposal

13 November 2025 | Newsroom

Fishing industry to appeal Coromandel trawl ban

13 November 2025 | Otago Daily Times

Confusion at Macraes consent process

10 November 2025 | Newsroom

Housing projects account for most of Govt’s fast-track progress

10 November 2025 | Newsroom

Fast-track changes increase ministerial powers

10 October 2025 | Newsroom

Council to notify massive Coromandel bottom trawl ban, picking fight with Govt

08 October 2025 | NZ Herald

New Zealand is asleep at the wheel on environmental policy

06 October 2025 | The Post

Marine protections for Hauraki Gulf on the way

01 October 2025 | RNZ

Santana Minerals close to lodging application for $4.4 billion Central Otago gold mine

10 September 2025 | The Post

Hipkins teases Labour’s emissions-reduction ambitions

10 September 2025 | Newsroom

‘Frustrated’ ministers ready to accelerate fast-track

10 September 2025 | Newsroom

Ex-climate tsar likens squabbling politicians to toddlers

10 September 2025 | The Post

Climate change minister Simon Watts mounts tame defence of ‘solid’ emissions policies

10 September 2025 | The Post

Ten takeaways from Auckland climate conference

09 September 2025 | Newsroom

Who Benefits: How a tiny charity rewrote NZ’s environmental law

09 September 2025 | Newsroom

Who Benefits: After 50 years at the table, environmentalists feel the cold shoulder

25 August 2025 | Carbon News

Adaptation under the spotlight at climate conference

18 August 2025 | The Post

Government’s promise to protect the environment in tatters

18 August 2025 | The Press

Is this the last ECan election?

13 August 2025 | Newsroom

Last minute RMA changes ‘cave to farm lobby’

11 August 2025 | Newsroom

Small Kiwi fishing firm builds low emissions super-trawler, at nearly $100m

11 August 2025 | Newsroom

Fishing firms fight fire with science

07 August 2025 | The Post

Overhaul of fisheries rules sparks alarm and gratitude

06 August 2025 | Newsroom

NZ now one of the most attractive nations for mining investment

06 August 2025 | Newsroom

Court rules minister must monitor Rakaia order

31 July 2025 | NZ Herald

Cancelling regional councils is a very bad idea

24 July 2025 | NZ Herald

‘We need to be thinking about moving’ – call to shift towns ahead of climate change impact

24 July 2025 | Newsroom

Who Benefits: The power of the farm lobby, part one

17 July 2025 | Stuff

Pines and politics: The frustrations behind Molesworth manager’s ‘shock’ exit

14 July 2025 | 1 News

Panel recommends end to weather damage buyouts in 20 years

14 July 2025 | RNZ

No climate change buy-outs in future, expert group tells government

14 July 2025 | Insurance Business

Climate plan sparks concern over insurance, development gaps

10 July 2025 | RNZ

Preserving New Zealand’s unique marine environments

04 July 2025 | Te Awamutu News

Safety last? What counsel said

25 June 2025 | Newsroom

UN labels NZ a fisheries leader, while NGOs call foul on coral

18 June 2025 | Waikato Times

Controversial Te Awamutu waste plant would burn plastic and tyres

11 June 2025 | RNZ

QEII National Trust prepares to dramatically scale back work

05 June 2025 | Newsroom

Gold standard: fast-track mining project must pass environmental audit

29 May 2025 | Newsroom

Fast-track decision gives communities more info on local projects

26 May 2025 | Newsroom

‘It was a bombshell’: Govt culls pest eradication company

21 May 2025 | Politik

Reforming the RMA; the tensions and the problems

15 May 2025 | Politik

Environmental conference debates the economy

15 May 2025 | Newsroom

Hauraki Gulf bottom trawling corridor proposals chucked on ice

07 May 2025 | Newsroom

New group to hold Govt to account on trade deals

02 May 2025 | Newsroom

New RMA’s ‘chilling effect’ on councils threatened with court action

27 April 2025 | Newsroom

Court bolsters Mackenzie protection but Govt reforms cast a shadow

12 April 2025 | The Spinoff

‘Scam’ or ‘efficiency’? The proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act, explained

10 April 2025 | Farmers Weekly

Clarity still elusive on Crown tree plans

07 April 2025 | RNZ

Pine planting: Ministers ‘dreaming’ about amount of suitable land, say green groups

03 April 2025 | newsroom

Declarations might improve water quality, environment group says

28 March 2025 | Business Desk

Southland windfarm rejection appropriate: EDS

25 March 2025 | RNZ

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

25 February 2025 | Farmers Weekly

QEII Trust welcomes budget reprieve

20 January 2025 | RNZ

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

16 January 2025 | Newsroom

The environment’s most important year for decades

30 November 2024 | Newsroom

A river has its day in court

15 November 2024 | RNZ

Environmental Defence Society on charges to national parks

21 October 2024 | Radio NZ

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

18 October 2024 | Newsroom

Hauraki Gulf protections – perfect can be enemy of the good

14 October 2024 | NZ Geo

What’s the point of the Fast-track Bill?

08 October 2024 | RNZ

Fast track list, questions over expert panels

08 October 2024 | Newsroom

The fast-track bill: the good, the bad and the clumsy

07 October 2024 | NewstalkZB

Nick Leggett & Gary Taylor: The projects picked for fast track approval

07 October 2024 | RNZ

Government unveils 149 projects selected by Fast-track Approvals Bill

07 October 2024 | Newsroom

Fast-track list: ‘zombie projects’ among the first 149 in line

05 October 2024 | Newsroom

Rushed minerals changes ‘bad lawmaking and they know it’

24 September 2024 | Newsroom

Otago’s simmering water wars bubble towards boiling point

11 September 2024 | RNZ

‘There’s coal and there’s coal’ – Climate Minister defends opening up for mining

11 September 2024 | RNZ

NZ’s next climate target needs to be more ambitious, says diplomat

09 September 2024 | RNZ

Great Barrier Reef already been dealt its death blow – scientist

28 August 2024 | RNZ

Fast-track bill still skewed in favour of economy – environmentalist

13 August 2024 | Newsroom

Bishop: Releasing list of fast-track applicants ‘would lead to lobbying’

21 July 2024 | Vimeo

EDS speaks to Primary Production Committee on proposed aquaculture amendments

18 July 2024 | Newsroom

The climate action within our control

21 July 2024 | Newsroom

$3b a small price to pay for future of Interislander ferries

13 July 2024 | The Press

Is the Govt’s need for speed undermining democratic processes?

21 July 2024 | Newsroom

Minister foreshadows hard choices for conservation department

17 June 2024 | Newsroom

Winds of political change blow through environmental conference

17 June 2024 | RNZ

Does New Zealand have a global responsibility to mine more locally?

14 June 2024 | Newsroom

Environmentalists confronted by inconvenient truths

06 June 2024 | Newsroom

Govt rethink needed for mining on stewardship land

04 June 2024 | Newsroom

Urgent bill to extend all marine farm consents by 20 years

04 June 2024 | Newsroom

Environmental legal aid fund killed in Budget cuts

29 May 2024 | The post

An unacceptable, preposterous attack on nature

15 May 2024 | RNZ

New book details New Zealand’s biggest environmental battles

13 May 2024 | 1News

Environmentalist: Govt’s fast-track bill is going back to the 80s

14 May 2024 | NZ Herald

Those fighting for the environment are worlds apart but intrinsically linked

14 May 2024 | Spinoff

Why the UK parliament is monitoring our fast-track consenting bill

24 April 2024 | 1 News

Govt reveals first changes to Resource Management Act

22 March 2024 | Stuff

Aquaculture farms consent extension ‘dodgy’

22 March 2024 | NZGeo

Goodbye, environmental laws! We’re in our construction era now

15 March 2024 | Rural News

SNA rules suspended – farmers happy, environmentalists outraged

15 March 2024 | Spinoff

We can’t find the environmental group that was extensively consulted on the fast-track consenting bill

15 March 2024 | RNZ

Andrew Hoggard walks back SNA announcement experts say is unlawful

08 March 2024 | bnn

New Zealand’s Fast-Track Bill Sparks Outrage: Environmental Groups and Industry at Odds

08 March 2024 | The Daily Blog

Fast-track Bill Release Marks ‘Dark Day For Nature And Democracy’ – Greenpeace

08 March 2024 | Politik

The big Beehive power grab

08 March 2024 | RNZ

Shane Jones on Fast Track Approval bill

02 March 2024 | RNZ

Environmental group rails against proposal to automatically extend marine farm resource consents

01 March 2024 | NZ Herald (Premium)

The National Party, the PM, and busting myths about their approach to climate change: Sir Ian Taylor

01 March 2024 | The Daily Blog

Another Missile Launched In Government’s War On Nature – Environmental Defence Society

01 March 2024 | RNZ

Overseas gold investors eye up market as Government looks to bolster mining

29 February 2024 | bnn

Bluegreen Forum at Waitangi: Bridging Politics and Environmental Action

29 February 2024 | bnn

New Zealand’s Plan for 25-Year Marine Farm Consents Sparks Environmental Outcry

29 February 2024 | RNZ

Overseas gold investors eye up market as Government looks to bolster mining

25 February 2024 | Newshub

Environmental group calls Government our most radical ‘anti-environment’ since 1980s

23 February 2024 | Newsroom

ECan’s evidence about Rakaia River used against it in court

15 February 2024 | RNZ

Environmental groups say government’s plans breach free trade agreement

12 February 2024 | Newstalkzb

Environmental groups condemn Government’s proposal to introduce ‘fast track’ consents bill, labels it a war on nature

07 February 2024 | Newsroom

Brace yourself for Think Big II, warn environmentalists

04 February 2024 | 1 News

Govt plan to fast-track infrastructure alarms environmentalists

02 February 2024 | Carbon Pulse

NZ govt’s fast-tracked development approval plans alarm environmental groups

29 January 2024 | The Post

The new, old law that no-one can seem to kill

09 January 2024 | Newsroom

Court documents show ECan pulled out rug over Rakaia River

20 December 2023 | Newsroom

More pollution for longer: Government ‘rebalances’ towards commerce

18 December 2023 | Guardian

New Zealand’s environmental credentials on the line as coalition takes power

04 December 2023 | Energy Portal

New Zealand’s Largest Solar Farm Proposed for the Mackenzie Basin

04 December 2023 | Newsroom

New Government crashes environment

01 December 2023 | RNZ

Plan to build New Zealand’s largest solar farm in Mackenzie Basin goes for consultation

17 November 2023 | RNZ

Water clarity: The murky management of Rakaia River

15 November 2023 | The Press

ECan’s withdrawal from Rakaia litigation baffles conservationists

14 November 2023 | Newsroom

Surprise at Canterbury council’s ‘misleading’ court withdrawal

10 November 2023 | Newsroom

Commissioners reject big Mackenzie Basin solar farm

10 November 2023 | RNZ

Tekapo solar farm application rejected on ecological grounds

30 October 2023 | Newsroom

New Govt could panel-beat legislation without writing it off

27 October 2023 | Newsroom

Warning over looming water battle

13 October 2023 | RNZ

Reaction to new forestry slash regulations

22 September 2023 | Energy Portal

National Leader Christopher Luxon Calls for Repeal of New Resource Management Legislation

14 September 2023 | NZ Herald

Election 2023: Act’s Simon Court says no climate emergency, Green’s James Shaw describes him as a ‘clown show’ in debate

14 September 2023 | Newshub

Election 2023: How ACT Party sparked controversy at debate on protecting the planet

20 August 2023 | Scoop

RMA Reform Just The Start

09 August 2023 | North and South

Solar eclipse: Our renewable power struggle

24 July 2023 | Newsroom

Lakes will ‘die’ without urgent action

09 July 2023 | NZ Geographic

Taking on water

09 July 2023 | The Post

Ocean sanctuary debacle illustrates need for ocean management overhaul

26 April 2023 | Newsroom

The planet burns on a bonfire of farming regulations

28 March 2023 | Newshub

Increasing number of snapper caught in Hauraki Gulf suffering from starvation

06 March 2023 | Newsroom

The case for an Environmental Defence Force

27 February 2023 | Newsroom

Court puts river protection case on fast-track

25 February 2023 | RNZ

Prof Jonathan Boston: how to manage managed retreat

24 February 2023 | RNZ

Forestry inquiry welcomed by sector groups

14 February 2023 | Newsroom

We deserve more than a climate house of cards

14 February 2023 | RNZ

Business commentator Pattrick Smellie on Nine to Noon talking about managed retreat and EDS’s new report

13 February 2023 | Stuff

A law could allow flood-hit homeowners to seek safer ground, if the Government would fund it

01 February 2023 | Newsroom

Time for stronger forestry regulations to control pollution

27 January 2023 | Stuff

Calls for inquiry into forestry practices after boy killed at beach

27 January 2023 | NZ Herald

Forestry slash: Boy’s death after being struck by log at beach a ‘wake-up’ call

23 January 2023 | RNZ

Forestry slash: what is the solution?

22 January 2023 | Today FM

Gary Taylor, EDS CEO, talking forestry slash on Today FM

18 January 2023 | Stuff

Tairāwhiti locals launch petition seeking changes to stop forestry ‘carnage’

16 January 2023 | RNZ

The Panel with David Cormack and Cas Carter (Part 2)

16 January 2023 | RNZ

Forestry Minister on reforms to forestry after Cyclone Hale

16 January 2023 | RNZ

Cyclone Hale aftermath: Defence Force vehicles used to supply Tairāwhiti’s isolated pockets

16 January 2023 | NZ Herald

‘East Coast disaster’: Environmental group calls for inquiry into forestry practices

16 January 2023 | Scoop

EDS Calls For Formal Inquiry Into Forestry Practices Following East Coast Disaster

18 October 2022 | NZ Herald

Raewyn Peart: My story as told to Elisabeth Easther

19 September 2022 | RNZ

Climate Change Commission chair Dr Rod Carr calls for reform of emissions trading scheme

08 September 2022 | newsroom.

Forestry needs an urgent reset

05 September 2022 | Newshub

Government accused of failing to follow conservation law with stewardship land review

04 September 2022 | newsroom.

‘Outstanding’ land stewards spark conservation clash

02 September 2022 | newsroom.

Bad economics trumps good environmental outcomes

22 August 2022 | Stuff

Freshwater reforms reveal difficulty in science-driven policy, report says

09 June 2022 | newsroom.

New report reveals Aotearoa’s waters face crisis, authors want sweeping, urgent reform

17 April 2022 | Stuff

The Laws of Nature: Why old legislation is standing in the way of tackling environmental crisis

13 April 2022 | Stuff

Seasick Series – Saving the Hauraki Gulf

29 March 2022 | newsroom.

Warning over Mackenzie development ‘goldrush’

21 March 2022 | University of Otago, Faculty of Law

Alumni Newsletter feat. Raewyn Peart: Environmental Defender

02 January 2022 | newsroom.

Time to give the ocean its own legal voice

16 December 2021 | newsroom.

Legal threat looms over ECan’s hidden river report

11 December 2021 | Listener Magazine

How the land lies

20 November 2021 | Beehive

100% renewable electricity grid explored with pumped storage ‘battery’

21 September 2021 | Magic Talk

Rural Today with Dominic George talking to Gary Taylor on pines versus natives

13 September 2021 | NZ Herald

Gary Taylor: Auckland needs a proper metro rail system

17 August 2021 | RNZ

Tourism operators want new rules for national parks

29 June 2021 | newsroom.

The Detail: The tipping point for Dome Valley residents

22 June 2021 | NZ Herald

Fishing restrictions and new protection areas for Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana

09 June 2021 | NZ Climate Commission

Ināia tonu nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa – our advice to Government

01 June 2021 | Newshub

Ngāi Tahu launches legal action against Government over conservation land

28 May 2021 | RNZ

Rio Tinto takes on some cost of Tiwai Pt clean-up, but $200m of work still up in the air

26 May 2021 | Stuff

Help buy the hill: Your chance to help create 500ha conservation park

12 April 2021 | RMLA

RMLA Auckland : Implementation Road Show

06 April 2021 | RNZ

Government considering law changes over Tiwai Pt

30 March 2021 | newsroom.

Govt looks at waste rules after smelter case

09 March 2021 | newsroom.

Last piece in puzzle for Mackenzie protection

10 February 2021 | NZ Herald

Government confirms it will scrap Resource Management Act, create three new acts

10 February 2021 | NZ Herald

Government confirms it will scrap Resource Management Act, create three new acts

10 February 2021 | Otago Daily Times

Dross protest and pragmatism

02 February 2021 | Stuff

‘Not transformational’: climate commission’s blueprint disappoints green activists

02 February 2021 | Stuff

‘Not transformational’: climate commission’s blueprint disappoints green activists

29 May 2020 | Stuff

A push for new coal mines amid ‘alarming’ fast-tracking of infrastructure