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...
The Environmental Protection Authority, the administrating agency of the Fast-Track Approvals Act, has accepted the Environmental Defence Society’s contention that it has not been lawfully applying the Act. EDS’s Barrister Rob Enright wrote to the EPA asserting that the Fast-Track Approvals Act required the EPA to publicly release all information...
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...
The Tsunami Work Programme aims to prepare Auckland for a tsunami emergency. To identify areas and communities most at risk, Auckland Council has worked with the National Emergency Management Agency and Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups. Recommendations were developed for all local board areas to prepare coastal communities during an...
Mt Carmel School is one of three schools in the Ōrākei Local Board area taking part in a marine education programme funded by the board. The programme is with the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust whose goal is to empower and support communities to achieve marine and freshwater conservation through...
As Auckland Council’s storm recovery office wraps up assessing 3500 homes affected by the 2023 storms, the focus now shifts to delivering solutions — including completing a programme of 1200 voluntary buy-outs for those in high-risk homes. Of the 3,500 properties assessed, nearly 60% have been cleared of serious risk....
Two hotels in Auckland have received Auckland Council’s Regional Historic Heritage Grant. The Puhoi Hotel and the Kentish Hotel were among 21 applicants allocated a share of $530,000 from the grant. Both buildings are scheduled as historic heritage places in the Auckland Unitary Plan. The grants programme aims to incentivise...
Nine-year-old Henry has been picking up rubbish since he was four or five. At rugby, he would be picking up rubbish and encouraging other kids to as well. His picking up rubbish started in earnest during lock downs, with rubbish bags in the pram of his younger sister. He...