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.

The Government has introduced a further two amended national direction instruments to add to three new and seven amended instruments approved in December 2025:

The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today. Read more about this year’s conference being held in the Bay of Islands, 10-11 September.

Lian Butcher has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), effective 1 July 2026.

eremy Lightfoot has been confirmed as the Secretary and Chief Executive for the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Government has released a new national strategy to support the future development of geothermal energy.

From October to December 2025, New Zealand set a record high of 96.4% of electricity generation coming from renewable sources.