Improving Environmental Governance: The Role of an EPA in New Zealand

Environmental Protection Authorities (EPAs) are a common feature in other developed countries. There is much to be learnt from their experiences. To inform the design of the New Zealand model, EDS has undertaken preliminary research on EPAs in Western Australia, Victoria, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and Denmark.

This paper draws on the results of this research. It is informed by previous work undertaken by EDS on the operation of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) more generally, and on the effectiveness of landscape protection and coastal and marine management in particular. The paper also reflects EDS’s long experience of litigating on RMA matters. A draft paper was circulated for peer review and this final paper has also benefited from the knowledge and insights of many of the reviewers identified in the acknowledgements.