The International Court of Justice, on 23 July, released its advisory option on Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change The General Assembly had two questions for the ICJ: (a) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other...
Adam Richards of Christchurch has won first prize (a $200 Toyworld voucher) in the first CBS Heritage Competition at this year’s Christchurch Brick Show with his model of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Accuracy to the historical building was one of the criteria for the competition. The judges said,...
The Environmental Defence Society has filed extensive submissions on the government’s review of national direction under the Resource Management Act 1991. The government’s proposals prioritise use and development at the expense of the natural environment. “Taken together, the changes set out pose a significant risk to indigenous biodiversity, freshwater, wetlands,...
The Estuary Art and Ecology Awards run from 5 July to 31 August at UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture Centre in Howick. The awards are the only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand that focuses specifically on ecology, encouraging artists to explore environmental issues, highlighting the link between art and...
The Albert-Eden Local Board is playing a key environmental role with a $458,000 investment across a range of projects for the 2025/2026 financial year. The board has approved its Environmental Programme, which enables the community to have more climate friendly programmes and to protect vulnerable ecosystems. The programme funds a...
Last week, the Minister for Resource Management Reform, Chris Bishop, announced that the government would be intervening, yet again, to prevent councils from progressing environmental protections under the Resource Management Act (RMA). Legislation will prohibit the notification of any new changes to regional policy statements and regional and district plans....
The aim of this programme is to encourage best practice in caring for regional heritage sites and places through community involvement. The grant value is up to $50,000, to support projects that aim to achieve at least one of the following outcomes: regulations and policies in the Auckland Unitary Plan...
The Kākāpō Recovery team have reported that breeding for this critically endangered bird will return in 2026. Kākāpō are the world’s only flightless nocturnal parrot. There are just 242 alive today. The breeding populations are found only on three very remote, rugged predator-free islands in the deep south: Whenua Hou/Codfish...
Work has started today on the temporary roof repairs to the Leys Institute Library. These repairs will keep the building watertight until the full restoration takes place. It’s great to see some positive action and care now being taken of these precious heritage buildings. Updates to follow!
An Ultimately Positive Outcome The High Court ruled the Environment Court’s decision to allow the demolition of 22 Crescent Road, Epsom should not be taken as precedent. Justice Muir, whose retirement was announced with “thanks [for his] outstanding contribution to the judiciary and to the administration of justice” by the...