Temporary repairs have been made to the various roof leaks and the outdoor lighting has been reinstated. Security cameras have now been installed, offering better protection from vandalism. The interior has been stripped out and some investigative work has been done, in preparation for the main restoration. The resource consent...
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...
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 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....
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...
On 17 June, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga issued the following statement on the Gordon Wilson and McLean Flats: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is deeply disappointed by the impending decision to demolish Wellington’s Gordon Wilson and McLean Flats, two buildings of significant heritage value that have long been part...
Auckland Council received the Independent Hearings Panel recommendations on PC78 (Intensification) for the city centre on 8 May 2025. Council’s decision on the recommendations was made on 22 May. They accepted all the panel’s recommendations on submissions on PC78 as they relate to the city centre. All these provisions became operative...
Greenpeace and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition have reported that a New Zealand bottom trawling vessel, fishing in the Chatham Rise off the South Island’s east coast, has pulled up 6,000 kg of protected stony coral in a single trawl. Stony corals are a protected species under the New Zealand...
John Cheah, council project manager, has advised that the resource consent application is working its way through council processes. Following a break-in several months ago, the rear door and courtyard door have been boarded up. Now the only access to the library is via the front door. The grounds have...