Today the New Zealand Government declared a climate emergency. The motion in the House passed by 76 votes to 43. New Zealand is the 33rd country in the world to declare a climate change emergency. The declaration acknowledged that over 1800 jurisdictions in 32 countries have already declared a climate...
In a report released today, the Environmental Defence Society calls for a strengthening of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 to better protect the landscapes of the Hauraki Gulf Islands. Protecting the Hauraki Gulf Islands examines the effectiveness of the act, current planning provisions and other approaches in protecting...
New Zealand is part of a global ecological crisis. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature Living Planet report 2020 found there has been a 68% average decline of birds, amphibians, mammals, fish, and reptiles since 1970. Forest & Bird has documented in this report an important part of New Zealand’s...
The first project approved by a panel under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act is a 24-metre high earth dam on the Kopenui Stream in Northland. This project involves the construction of water storage and distribution infrastructure in Kaikohe to support the development of Northland’s agriculture and horticulture sector, and...
A dozen members gathered at Kinder House on Sunday afternoon for the AGM and then were privileged to hear Edward Bennett tell stories about the castles that have materialised in Auckland over the years, many of which still exist, notable examples being the High Court, Mt Eden Prison, Fort Takapuna...
The following text is from this week’s Our Auckland E-News. This month marks a decade since the eight councils of the Auckland region were merged. On 31 October 2010, the region’s seven local councils and regional council ceased to exist and, on Monday 1 November 2010, the Auckland Council officially started operating. Mayor...
A recent evaluation by the Auckland Council Heritage Unit has afforded Category B status to the Colonial Ammunition Company Bulk Store at 26 Normanby Road, Mt. Eden. The Colonial Ammunition Company, the earliest ammunitions company in Australasia, was founded by Major John Whitney in 1885, largely in response to a...
31 October is World Cities Day and this year the focus is on Communities and Cities. The Day has a focus on cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world. Sustainable Development Goal 11, is the ambition...
A new review paper in Science magazine calls for ambitious goals for biodiversity. “Global biodiversity policy is at a crossroads. Recent global assessments of living nature and climate show worsening trends and a rapidly narrowing window for action.” None of the 20 Aichi targets for biodiversity it set in...
There are lots of environmental challenges ahead for the government. Climate change is one of the biggest ones. Urgent action is needed in a range of sectors to move New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions on a clear downward path. A review by the expert Climate Action Tracker (CAT) in...