About us
We use the power of the law to protect the natural taonga of Aotearoa. We hold polluters, corporate interests, and regulators to account.
Our position is that in Aotearoa New Zealand we already have laws to protect the environment, but too often these laws are ignored or poorly implemented. We’re changing that.
Founded in 2019 we’re a registered charitable trust, with a small team of researchers and lawyers. We are financially supported by philanthropic trusts and donations from members of the public. You can support our work by making a donation here.
If you want to make a confidential tip-off about potential breaches of environmental law that may be relevant to our work, click here to email us. We will treat your information as confidential unless you say otherwise.
The best way to keep up with our mahi is by signing up to our newsletter.
Our people
-
Matt Hall
DIRECTOR, RESEARCH AND LEGAL
Matt has broad environmental research experience spanning the natural sciences, environmental education, philosophy and law.
Originally trained as a botanist at the University of Edinburgh, he worked for several years as a Research Scientist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Matt has widely published in environmental ethics and has a PhD in environmental philosophy from the Australian National University.
Matt holds an LLB from the University of London and has a keen interest in approaches to environmental law that prioritise the natural world.
-
Anna Sintenie
SENIOR RESEARCHER
Anna trained in law and environmental sciences and began her legal career focussing on natural resources and public law. Her work has focussed on protections for freshwater and habitats.
Anna has a fascination for the natural world, and particularly Aotearoa's unique and interconnected freshwater ecosystems.
-
Megan Cornforth-Camden
SENIOR LEGAL ADVISOR
Megan has over a decade of experience working in a broad range of areas.
She started her career working in Treaty of Waitangi litigation and negotiation. After a stint in Vancouver working for a firm advising First Nations, she returned to Aotearoa to work in intercountry adoption and international surrogacy, amongst other areas, for the Ministry of Social Development, and coordinating teacher conduct cases for the New Zealand Teachers Council.
Most recently, Megan spent 3 years in the legislation team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, working on everything from occupational regulation to major events.
Megan lives in Lower Hutt, and loves being blown around the coast and hills with her young family.
-
Reto Blattner-de Vries
LEGAL ADVISOR
Reto was raised and educated in Rawene, South Hokianga, and has previous experience in Māori land law, mātauranga Māori and Māori fisheries.
Reto is particularly interested in Māori Environmental Law as well as increasing Māori representation within the New Zealand legal system.
-
Aaron Packard
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Aaron brings a wealth of experience in campaigns and communications, and a passion for our natural world.
Prior to joining ELI, Aaron was the senior communications advisor to the Chief Human Rights Commissioner.
Aaron spent over a decade working on climate change campaigns and was a central figure in the establishment of 350.org across the Pacific Islands, Australia, and Aotearoa. -
Eliza Prestidge-Oldfield
SENIOR LEGAL RESEARCHER
Eliza has extensive experience in government and politics, with a particular focus on environmental law. Prior to joining ELI, she held senior leadership roles for the Green Party in Parliament, first as the Director of Policy and Research and then Chief of Staff.
She has also previously worked at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Law Commission, and Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.
Outside of work, she loves tramping with her two sons – instilling a love of te taiao in the next generation.