Environment News & Articles
Government Grants $2 Million for Tasman District Flood Recovery
1 day ago | 83 viewsThe Government has allocated up to $2 million to Tasman District Council for flood recovery efforts, including waste cleanup and infrastructure repairs. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds highlights the challenges faced by the region, particularly in areas like Riwaka and along the Motueka River. The emergency waste funding aims to support councils in managing waste after emergencies and help communities like Tasman towards recovery.
Tags: Government Tasman District Council recovery flooding Environment Minister Penny Simmonds waste cleanup infrastructure repairs silt removal emergency waste fundingLocal Water Done Well: Government Legislation Benefits Communities Nationwide
3 days ago | 59 viewsThe Government's Local Water Done Well legislation aims to provide safe, reliable, and financially sustainable water services to local communities across the country. The legislation focuses on ensuring financial sustainability, oversight, and accountability in water service delivery, with the Commerce Commission overseeing economic regulation to ensure fair pricing and quality infrastructure. Councils are encouraged to submit water services delivery plans that meet the requirements and provide flexibility to make arrangements best-suited for their communities, ultimately benefiting Kiwis with improved water services.
Tags: Local Government Minister Simon Watts Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Kiwis Watercare charter Three Waters policy Local Government (Water Services) Act Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act Commerce Commission councils water services delivery planPreserving Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki: Meet the Guardians Ensuring Future Generations Enjoy this Natural Beauty
1 week ago | 130 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the support from Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi to preserve Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki for future generations. The four Crown appointments to Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi include individuals with expertise in ecology, strategic advisory, cultural development, and governance leadership. These appointments aim to ensure the protection and enhancement of the area, with joint decision-making on certain concession matters between the Crown and Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi as per the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Act.
Tags: New Zealanders Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Professor Bruce Clarkson Stephen Daysh Hemi Sundgren Rex Hendry Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi Te Kāhui Tupua Maori TaranakiNew Clean Vehicle Standard Updates Promise More Affordable and Fuel-Efficient Cars for Kiwis
1 week ago | 240 viewsThe Government is updating the Clean Vehicle Standard to provide importers with greater flexibility in meeting CO2 targets and ensuring access to more fuel-efficient and affordable vehicles for New Zealanders. Changes include allowing credit transfers between importers, extending credit lifespan, and setting targets not based on vehicle weight. These improvements aim to reduce costs passed on to consumers, support importers in bringing in more fuel-efficient vehicles, and are part of the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Standard) Amendment Bill (No 2).
Tags: Government Clean Vehicle Standard CO2 targets Kiwis Transport Minister Chris Bishop importers credits New ZealandGovernment Progresses Major Marine Protection for Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana
1 week ago | 133 viewsThe Government is progressing towards significantly increasing marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana to restore biodiversity and benefit future generations. This move aims to preserve unique wildlife habitats, support local economies, and address ecological decline in the Gulf. The Department of Conservation will lead the implementation of the new rules, focusing on education, compliance, and monitoring to protect critical habitats and balance community, environmental, and economic needs.
Tags: marine protection Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana biodiversity Conservation Minister Tama Potaka New Zealand economic value Department of Conservation DOC Marine Rangers Goat Island2025 Conservation Board and NZCA Appointments: Strengthening Environmental Efforts in New Zealand
1 week ago | 165 viewsThe latest appointments to New Zealand's 15 Conservation Boards aim to enhance environmental efforts in the country. Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka announced a total of 145 appointments, including 21 reappointments, 37 new appointments, and 87 continuing members, focusing on diversity and community representation. Additionally, two reappointments and four new appointments were confirmed for the New Zealand Conservation Authority to provide strategic policy advice for conservation efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tags: Conservation Board Conservation Authority Tama Potaka New Zealand Aotearoa Department of Conservation DOC appointments environmental efforts community interestsNew Zealand's Biodiversity Research Centre: Future-Proofing Natural History and Creating Jobs
2 weeks ago | 161 viewsThe Government is investing in a new Biodiversity Research Centre in Upper Hutt to replace the earthquake-prone and inadequate Tory Street facility, preserving Te Papa’s natural history collection of over 860,000 specimens. The project, costing $155.4 million, is part of a $6 billion infrastructure initiative and will create construction jobs for over 2,000 people, with completion expected by March 2028. The collection transfer and decommissioning of the current facility are scheduled to be completed by April 2029.
Tags: Government Biodiversity Research Centre New Zealand Paul Goldsmith Te Papa infrastructure projects natural history construction jobs environmental science scientific researchProposals to Enhance Northland's Rock Lobster Fishery: Feedback Needed
2 weeks ago | 163 viewsFeedback is being sought on proposals to cut the rock lobster catch on Northland’s east coast to aid fishery recovery, as stated by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. The proposals aim to increase the abundance and size of rock lobster in the area through potential area closures and reduced recreational daily limits. The consultation period for these proposals runs until 22 September 2025, with details on how to submit feedback available on MPI’s website.
Tags: Shane Jones Northland rock lobster fishery marine ecosystem proposals consultation MPI kina barrens submissionMarlborough Sounds Blue Cod Seasonal Closure Extended for Sustainability
2 weeks ago | 136 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced an extended seasonal closure for blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds, aiming to reduce fishing pressure and support sustainability. Commercial catch limits for the fish stock were reduced in 2022 due to concerns about high fishing pressure impacting the fishery. An advisory group has been established to provide expertise on improving the health of the blue cod population, with further exploration of factors affecting the fishery planned for the future.
Tags: Shane Jones Marlborough Sounds blue cod fishery sustainability closure fishing pressure advisory group commercial catch limits spawningFiordland Marine Guardians Strengthened with New Appointment and Reappointments
2 weeks ago | 192 viewsActing Environment Minister Tama Potaka announces the appointment of Murray Willans to the Fiordland Marine Guardians, highlighting his expertise and valuable contributions. Additionally, Dr. Rebecca McLeod and four other existing Guardians are reappointed, providing continuity and diverse knowledge to the advisory group. The Guardians advise on the integrated management of the Fiordland Marine Area, with members bringing various backgrounds and skills to safeguard the environment.
Tags: Fiordland Marine Guardian Tama Potaka Murray Willans Dr Rebecca McLeod Stewart Bull Mark Peychers Gavin Tayles John Cushen environment marine managementMajor Fisheries Reforms for Sustainable Growth: Minister Shane Jones Unveils Game-Changing Changes
3 weeks ago | 423 viewsThe Government is implementing significant fisheries reforms to support sustainable growth in the fishing industry, aiming to remove obstacles and enhance decision-making for setting catch limits. The reforms include more responsive rules based on changes in fish abundance, improved privacy protection for fishers through changes in the onboard camera program, and practical guidelines for landing or discarding catch. These changes align with the goal of fostering a thriving and sustainable fishing industry, with an amendment Bill to be introduced for further feedback through the select committee process.
Tags: Shane Jones Fisheries Act reforms sustainable growth fishing industry catch limits fisheries management onboard cameras Official Information Act MPI.Transforming New Zealand's Import Health Standards for Enhanced Efficiency and Biosecurity Protection
1 month ago | 538 viewsThe New Zealand Government is modernizing the import health system to reduce the time it takes to develop Import Health Standards (IHSs) while maintaining strong biosecurity protections. A regulatory efficiency program is underway, utilizing generative artificial intelligence to streamline the IHS development process. Pilot projects, such as the reform of the Plant Nursery Stock import system, aim to provide faster approvals for imported goods and support growth and productivity while safeguarding biosecurity.
Tags: Government New Zealand Import Health Standards Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard regulatory framework artificial intelligence Ministry for Primary Industries MPIGovernment Funding Boost to Combat Invasive Weeds in NZ Tourist Landscapes
1 month ago | 326 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the importance of eradicating invasive weeds to benefit tourism and rural businesses in New Zealand. The government is investing in early detection technology and allocating funds from the International Visitor Levy to protect iconic landscapes like Abel Tasman, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Tongariro. Additional funding is directed towards combating wilding pines and other significant weeds, aiming to safeguard the environment, economy, and biodiversity of the country.
Tags: Tourism rural businesses Government action invasive weeds early detection technology Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Department of Conservation International Visitor Levy wilding pines Biosecurity Minister Andrew HoggardGovernment Funds New Nelson Tasman Weather Radar for Enhanced Emergency Response
1 month ago | 449 viewsThe Government is funding MetService for a new Nelson Tasman weather radar to enhance severe weather monitoring and response in the region, as announced by Associate Transport Minister James Meager. The radar procurement aims to improve community preparedness for future disasters following recent severe weather events. The investment in the radar, with a capital cost of up to $5 million and ongoing operating costs, will provide emergency managers with better tools to monitor rainfall and flooding risks, ultimately reducing the potential for loss of life and property during severe weather events.
Tags: Government MetService Nelson Tasman weather radar severe weather monitoring response James Meager Mark Mitchell emergency management rainfall.Boost in Great Walks Bookings Signals Conservation Success and Economic Growth
1 month ago | 463 viewsA significant boost in the number of people booking bednights along the country’s Great Walks is a good sign for conservation tourism and local businesses, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Opening day bookings for each of the Great Walks were up by over 10,000 bednights compared to last year, totalling more than 140,000 bednights and bringing in more than $9 million to the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, says Mr Potaka. “Booking system upgrades - including a new online lobby - successfully processed a peak of nearly 12,000 people waiting to book the Milford when it opened on 28 May in an hour.
Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Great Walks Conservation tourism Local businesses Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai International Visitor Levy National Parks Rakiura National Park International visitors