Last week, the government announced that 17 new marine protected areas and extensions to two existing marine reserves in the Hauraki Gulf will proceed This will help restore the overall productivity of the Gulf, including enhancing fish production. . The Gulf has been experiencing long-term declines in biodiversity, depletion of...
The Minister of Transport has announced the final Reshaping Streets package of regulatory changes, which will give councils and communities more options to improve urban spaces and encourage healthier, safer and more sustainable travel. Reshaping Streets will enable councils and communities to work together to modify their existing streets to...
There are 12 community recycling centres across the region. Many of them accept most types of waste. Look up your local recycling centre to find out what items they take. Some centres charge a fee for particular items, so check first. Your local op shop will take items that are...
Waka Kotahi is consulting on whether or not it should renew its E-scooters (Declaration not to be Motor Vehicles) Notice 2018 which expires on 30th September 2023. This is the Declaration that had the consequence of allowing e-scooters to be ridden on footpaths. There is a very short survey to...
The Environment Select Committee has released its report and recommended amendments to the Natural and Built Environment Bill. Supporters of The Tree Council and the New Zealand Arboricultural Association sent more than 3,300 submissions to the select committee supporting the changes recommended in their Stop the Chop campaign. The Parliamentary...
From 1 July 2023, the sale and manufacture of many single-use plastic products have been banned, restricted or phased out. Drinking straws Cutlery Bowls, trays and platters without lids Produce bags used to pack fresh fruit and vegetables Produce labels. The ban applies where items are sold or supplied for...
The Environmental Defence Society has released its review of the Conservation Management Planning System, calling for urgent reform. Co-authored by Dr Deidre Koolen-Bourke, Raewyn Peart, Bronwyn Wilde and Tracey Turner, the report reviews the adequacy of the legislation and policy settings, statutory planning documents, concessions system and institutional arrangements for...
Within the next 12 months, Auckland Transport (AT) will introduce easier payment options across all of Auckland’s buses, trains, and ferries. This will enable customers to tag on and off with debit/credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, alongside the current AT HOP card. The changes will apply to...
Auckland Council is asking for feedback on how Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland should grow over the next 30 years, with public consultation open until 4 July 2023. Council expects half a million more people to be living in the city by 2058. The strategy is its plan to make sure homes, jobs...
ARA Heritage Buses is a small band of volunteers devoted to saving examples of ex Auckland Regional Authority buses. They have recently acquired the very first ARA Mercedes Benz 0305, bus no. 1301. This was the first truly modern bus in Auckland. The iconic yellow Mercedes 0305 buses became the...