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...
The Government today released for consultation an unprecedented package of reforms to national direction under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). This review covers 12 existing instruments and proposes 4 new ones – making it the largest overhaul of national direction in the Act’s history. National direction – including national...
A petition has been launched to halt the Gene Technology Bill and achieve a Commission of Inquiry. Petition request That the House of Representatives halt the progress of the Gene Technology Bill and instead set up a Commission of Inquiry into the health and safety of people and the environment...
The Environmental Defence Society has concluded its Dollars and Sense Conference in Tāmaki Makaurau, drawing together over 350 delegates across government, business, iwi, academia, and civil society for three days of conversation on aligning economic systems with ecological realities. The question asked at the conference was: how can we achieve that...
It’s been 15 years since the super city was formed. What are we most proud of in Tāmaki Makaurau? Where are we going as a city? What needs improvement? Auckland’s past, present and future leaders came together to reflect on these questions. Contributors included Helen Clark, John Key, Wayne Brown...
EDS has published two new reports that address key questions facing policy makers in “phase 3” of the government’s resource management reforms. Phase 3 involves replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with two new statutes based on the “enjoyment of property rights” and is a key pillar of the coalition...
Consultation on council’s Annual Plan for 2025/2026 is open for feedback until 28 March. This year’s plan focuses on getting on with strengthening the financial and physical resilience of Auckland, as committed to in the Long-Term Plan, while investing where it is needed most to manage growth. Highlights include establishing...
A seamount is an underwater mountain that rises at least 1,000 metres above the seafloor and is a biodiversity hotspot for unique and migratory marine life. This 2-minute video shows you some of the life in a seamount and also looks at the growing threat to the creatures that live...
Auckland Council confirmed at its 28 February Governing Body meeting its 2016 commitment of $15 million towards the restoration of the St James Theatre, matching funding from central government. Mayor Wayne Brown says he is keen for the work on the theatre to go ahead, “to clean up the eyesore...
The Environmental Defence Society has launched its comprehensive guide to the Fast-track Approvals Act, which came into effect in December 2024. Applications for consents under the act went live last week. “The updated Environment Guide provides clear, accessible and digestible information to help individuals, community groups and businesses understand the...