PCE’s address to the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Environmental Auditing Assembly
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment recently spoke to an international assembly of external government auditors on his work to improve performance and accountability for the environment.
Action plan sets out path towards safe drinking water
The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy 2025-28, makes clear the next steps that drinking water suppliers must take toward achieving that vision.
Independent climate adaptation report released
The Ministry for the Environment has released the final report of the Independent Reference Group on climate adaptation.
The group was established to hear insights from members' experience of making decisions on adaptation challenges and issues to inform policy advice on developing a new national adaptation framework.
Government to stop Council plan changes
The Government will stop councils working on plan changes in advance of the new planning system coming into force.
City and Regional Deals to unlock growth
The Government has laid out its expectations for City and Regional Deals as long-term partnerships that will increase economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity for New Zealanders.
Forest and Bird CEO Nicola Toki slams ‘sneaky’ conservation reforms
Forest and Bird’s CEO says “really concerning “ and “sneaky” reforms by the coalition Government are stripping back protections for nature so fast that “no New Zealander can keep up.”
High Court agrees with EDS: Law must be followed as it stands now
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) welcomes the High Court’s finding in Box Property Investments Ltd v The Expert Consenting Panel that decisions must be made based on the law as it currently stands, not on potential future legislative changes.
PCE submission on Climate Change Response (ETS-Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill
The Commissioner has warned, in his submission on the Climate Change Response (ETS – Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill, that the Government’s attempt to limit forestry conversions on rural land does not address the fundamental need to remove forestry from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and is unlikely to lead to meaningful change.
Te Ara Hauāuru - Northwest Busway - Westgate Bus Station main works to begin
Main construction is about to begin on a new bus station at Westgate,Auckland following the awarding of a contract to Built Environs.
Going for growth around the City Rail Link
The Government will require Auckland to allow even greater housing and development around City Rail Link stations, ensuring that Auckland takes economic advantage of this transformational investment in the city.
Farm-to-forest ban passes first reading
The Government has taken a major step towards protecting food production by ending the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill receiving unanimous support in Parliament.
Registration approved for New Zealand’s first standalone private sector building consent authority
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has approved the registration of Christchurch-based Building Consent Approvals Limited (BCAL) as New Zealand’s first standalone building consent authority (BCA).