The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has submitted on the Conservation Amendment Bill, focusing on how proposed reforms could shape the future management of New Zealand’s conservation estate.

For RMLA members working across environmental law, policy, planning, governance, biodiversity, natural-resource management and ecological restoration, these opportunities may be of particular professional and academic interest.

RMLA lodged its submission on the Conservation Amendment Bill with Parliament’s Environment Committee on 13 July 2026.

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

Fisheries NZ is consulting on new sustainability measures for the country’s two tarakihi stocks.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment received questions from the Waitangi Tribunal, regarding the Wai 3325 Climate Change Priority Inquiry, and provided a response.

RMLA is sharing this opportunity for member awareness. Members with relevant expertise or professional interest in road-traffic noise, consenting, infrastructure, effects assessment, mitigation, regulatory processes or related expert evidence may wish to consider whether they are suited to participate in their individual capacity.

Read more about the opportunity, scope, time commitment and nomination process here:

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment addressed the Environmental Defence Society Annual Conference identifying that concurrent resource management and local government reforms risk creating “an expensive mess” if catchments are fragmented.

Following discussions last week on the fringes of the EDS Conference, the Minister of Conservation has agreed to substantial changes to the Conservation Amendment Bill.

The Environmental Defence Society says the decision to delay the Fisheries Amendment Bill until after the general election should mark the end for legislation that would weaken environmental protections and public accountability.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment addressed the Catchment Communities Aotearoa National Forum identifying the pivotal role of catchment groups in tackling environmental challenges in rural New Zealand.

The Natural Environment Bill was introduced on December 9, 2025 with the aim of managing impacts from the use of natural resources and protect the environment from harm.