NZ Infrastructure Commission Podcast: The heart of the city
In this podcast, Alain Bertaud speaks about urban planning, zoning, congestion charging and the heart of the city.
EDS & Forest and Bird join forces to challenge stewardship land decisions
EDS and Forest & Bird have jointly filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court seeking to overturn 99 of the Minister of Conservation’s decisions on the review of stewardship land on the West Coast of the South Island.
Hidden groundwater powers our rivers: Our Freshwater 2026 warns why early action matters
Our Freshwater 2026 shows how central groundwater is to daily life, supplying drinking water to nearly half of New Zealanders and around 80 percent of everyday flow in many rivers.
PCE comment on Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has provided a comment to the Fast-track Approvals Panel on Meridian Energy’s proposal for the Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works.
RMA National Direction updates
The Government has introduced a further two amended national direction instruments to add to three new and seven amended instruments approved in December 2025:
Lian Butcher appointed as next EPA Chief Executive
Lian Butcher has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), effective 1 July 2026.
Chief appointed for new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport
eremy Lightfoot has been confirmed as the Secretary and Chief Executive for the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.
New Bill to unlock high country farming potential
Rule changes that free up high country farmers to make the most of their land will unlock economic opportunities, support job creation and strengthen regional economies.
Extending the expiry date of resource consents to align with the reform of the Resource Management Act 1991
This package contains documents relating to the Cabinet decision to extend the expiry date of resource consents to align with the reform of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Legislation gives more flex for Auckland’s PC120
The Government has introduced legislation to amend the Resource Management Act and reduce the minimum housing capacity required for Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120, Housing and RMA Reform.
New Zealand Flood Map - update
Development of New Zealand’s Flood Map has moved to the next stage, with a contractor now on board to set up how we bring together local, regional, and national data.
PCE calls for collective environmental action
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment addressed the Dairy Environment Leaders 2026 Forum. He recognised the environmental endeavours of the sector – but called for increased effort to halt declining trends in water quality, emissions and catchment health.