Conservation in New Zealand has traditionally focused on rivers, forests, wetlands and wildlife. These are places we can see, visit and protect. Yet there is another part of our natural environment that is quietly disappearing above our heads. Increasingly, the … Continue reading
The Government’s replacement of the Resource Management Act has taken another step forward, but once again the legislation has changed as it has progressed through Parliament. The Environment Committee has recommended extending the transition period, broadening ministerial discretion over activities … Continue reading
Growing concern over the depletion of marine life in Auckland’s rockpools by visitors has prompted calls for stronger protection, increased enforcement and greater public education. Unfortunately, the debate has also become clouded by accusations of racism as some confrontations have … Continue reading
Southland’s proposed AI data centre has sparked debate over water use, electricity demand and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. Those are all important issues. Yet one question raised during the discussion may prove far more significant than the project … Continue reading
The Government’s decision to abolish Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements has been welcomed by many New Zealanders who saw them as introducing an additional layer of influence into local government decision-making. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has presented the change as … Continue reading
The Government has sought to reassure New Zealanders that the Conservation Amendment Bill does not place development ahead of conservation. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says conservation remains the primary purpose of the Act and that no automatic right to develop … Continue reading
Paul Henry’s recent comments on semi-automatic firearms have prompted discussion among New Zealand’s licensed firearms community. Whether intended or not, they have left many wondering how his views fit alongside the work ACT has undertaken on firearms policy over recent … Continue reading
The detection of H5N1 avian influenza in New Zealand has understandably renewed public concern. The confirmed detections to date have involved wild birds, including a seabird and a raptor believed to have become infected after feeding on carrion. While these … Continue reading
The recent Conversation article on conservation reform argues that New Zealand should move away from what it describes as “fortress conservation” – the idea that nature is best protected by separating people from it. It suggests a more relational model … Continue reading
Book Review: , reviewed by Tony Orman. by Tony Orman I’ve just read a newly published book “Ringside: A Political Memoir” by Mike Munro who in his working career as a journalist spent nearly 22 years working inside the parliamentary … Continue reading
Special report Kathy White, former Waikato Regional Councillor for nine years and Chair of the council’s environmental performance committee for six years, is calling for an urgent inquiry into the ethics of school fundraising hunting competitions, citing escalating animal‑welfare concerns, … Continue reading
Press release ACT Conservation spokesperson and keen hunter Cameron Luxton has welcomed today’s designation of Fiordland’s wapiti as New Zealand’s first Herd of Special Interest. “This is recognition of something hunters have known for years, the best conservation often comes from … Continue reading
For more than sixty years, New Zealand has justified widespread possum control, including extensive aerial 1080 operations, on two principal grounds: protecting native biodiversity and reducing the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB). Few would argue that protecting livestock and wildlife … Continue reading
The latest State of the Hauraki Gulf report paints a familiar picture. Declining shellfish, depleted crayfish, damaged reefs, sediment, wastewater overflows, habitat loss and increasing pressure from coastal development all feature once again. There are encouraging signs in some areas, … Continue reading
The establishment of the new Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia marine reserve network along the Otago and South Canterbury coast introduces something new to New Zealand’s marine conservation. Rather than being managed solely by the Department of Conservation, the … Continue reading
A recent controversy surrounding a children’s rockpool exploration event in Auckland should give us pause for thought. What began as a supervised educational outing ended with organisers and families facing online abuse after some observers mistakenly believed the group was … Continue reading
The Coalition Government has launched a dangerous assault – via its Conservation Amendment Bill – on New Zealand’s conservation land says a press release by Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman. They are trying to make it easier for mining companies … Continue reading
Press release The New Zealand Outdoor Party has modified its name to the Freedom Party, in response to people requests for a simple name and the decline of democracy. In a newsletter announcing the change, the party said the battle lines … Continue reading
From NZ Deerstalkers Assn, newsletter The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act has passed into law changes affecting businesses and workplaces but also has implications for recreation. The new law contains what may be its most important – yet … Continue reading
A modelling error by the Ministry of Fisheries resulted in the collapse of the tarakihi fishery had not been apparent to ministry officials because iof a ‘modelling error.”. The 2022 assessment of the eastern tarakihi fishery indicated the population at … Continue reading
