The Government has agreed to progress the recommendations in the Ministry for Regulation’s Sector Review Report to make residential and small to medium scale solar panel installation in New Zealand the simplest in the developed world.

The Government will strengthen infrastructure funding settings to ensure the costs of growth from incoming Fast-track developments can be recovered.

Speaking at the Waikato Regional Energy Strategy launch in Hamilton, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment said New Zealand faces a series of complex energy challenges that require long-term thinking and greater coordination across government, industry and communities.

Amendment papers have been added to both the Natural Environment & Planning Bills this week.

The Government has introduced the Building Amendment Bill, which proposes a range of changes to New Zealand's building system, including reforms to liability settings, consenting processes and building research funding.

The Government has taken an important first step towards preparing New Zealand for climate change by introducing the Climate Change Response Amendment Bill, but the Environmental Defence Society says the new adaptation framework risks becoming just a planning exercise unless ministers address the unresolved question of who will pay for implementation.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) was appointed as an independent adviser to the Environment Committee on 18 December 2025 to assist with its consideration of the Planning and Natural Environment Bills.

The Government has introduced a Bill to amend New Zealand’s climate change law.

The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) has today filed its submission on the Conservation Amendment Bill, welcoming the Government’s decision to abandon the controversial conservation land exchange and disposal provisions, while warning that several significant issues remain unresolved.

Legislation to update New Zealand’s environmental reporting regime has passed its first reading in Parliament.

The Government has released its formal response to the independent National Infrastructure Plan, setting out how it will respond to the Infrastructure Commission’s sixteen recommendations.

The Government has introduced legislation to change New Zealand’s outdated environmental reporting regime and improve decision-making on the country’s environmental considerations.