Government’s new fast-track consenting regime

The Environmental Defence Society is critical of the government’s intention to establish a new fast-track consenting regime, as outlined in this letter, sent by the Minister for Resource Management Reform to stakeholders on 31 January. The new stand-alone law will enable Ministers to approve projects that are locally, regionally or...

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New standards for recycling

New national standards for recycling come into effect on 1 February 2024, with identical guidelines across the country for what items can and cannot be placed in kerbside recycling bins. Items accepted in kerbside recycling bins from 1 February: Glass bottles and jars Paper and cardboard Plastic bottles, trays, and...

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The Civic Tours

The tours of The Civic are back for 2024. Discover the rich history that spans the last 94 years: world film premieres and celebrities, the uncertain future in the 1990s, community support to save the venue, and its eventual restoration. The Civic Tours are on sale now for tours from...

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Microplastic pollution at Auckland beaches

Auckland’s popular beaches, including Okahu Bay and Mission Bay, are polluted with microplastics at rates at least 50 times worse than reported elsewhere on New Zealand’s coasts, researchers have discovered. They used sophisticated imaging techniques to identify the microplastics, many of which were widely used in packaging, coatings, footwear and...

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EDS briefings for incoming ministers

Today, the Environmental Defence Society published its briefings for incoming ministers in the coalition government, covering these portfolio areas: Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for the Environment Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Resource Management Reform Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Hunting and Fishing Hon Tama Potaka, Minister of Conservation Hon Simon...

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Coalition government and the environment

The following is adapted from the EDS News, December 2023 (Environmental Defence Society). The three-party coalition of the new government does not bode well for our environment. Many of the policy agreements in National’s deals with NZ First and ACT are regressive. In addition to rolling back the resource management...

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Bird of the century

Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Century is the pūteketeke Australasian crested grebe. (It’s not one of the five birds I voted for.) It is a little-known lake bird, numbering fewer than 1000 in New Zealand. More than 380,000 votes were cast from 195 countries – the biggest reach the...

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