Our Cases

Recent decisions

Cases by category

Marine

Featured
Protecting hoiho from setnet fishing deaths
Protecting hoiho from setnet fishing deaths

We challenged the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries’ decision to only close part of northern hoiho habitat to setnet fishing, when the entire population is at risk of extinction.

Protecting Māui and Hector’s dolphins from extinction
Protecting Māui and Hector’s dolphins from extinction

We are taking the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to court for failing to adequately protect Māui and Hector’s dolphins.

Crayfish case #2: restoring crayfish numbers in Northland
Crayfish case #2: restoring crayfish numbers in Northland

We challenged the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Total Allowable Catch decision for crayfish in Northland, and we won.

Crayfish case #1: Restoring crayfish numbers in Northland
Crayfish case #1: Restoring crayfish numbers in Northland

With Te Uri o Hikihiki hapū, we challenged the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries catch limit decisions for crayfish, and we won.

Protecting orange roughy from bottom trawling and over-fishing
Protecting orange roughy from bottom trawling and over-fishing

We took the Minister to court for the destructive impacts of bottom trawling and the overfishing orange roughy.  We are now awaiting the court’s decision.

Challenging the Government’s failure to properly levy the fishing industry 
Challenging the Government’s failure to properly levy the fishing industry 

We have filed legal proceedings against the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries and the Director General of MPI for under-levying the fishing industry and under-allocating observers.

Challenging DOC’s failure to protect marine species from commercial fishing
Challenging DOC’s failure to protect marine species from commercial fishing

We challenged the New Zealand Government in the High Court over systemic failures to apply the law to protect marine biodiversity — and we won.

Freshwater

Featured
Holding Environment Southland accountable on wetland loss
Holding Environment Southland accountable on wetland loss

We challenged Environment Southland in the High Court for its failure to take action on wetland destruction, and we won. 

Fighting nitrate pollution in Canterbury: MHV
Fighting nitrate pollution in Canterbury: MHV

In May 2025, we challenged Environment Canterbury in the High Court over the Council’s decision to grant a nitrogen discharge consent to MHV Water Ltd. We are now appealing the High Court’s decision.

Fighting for the future of freshwater in Canterbury
Fighting for the future of freshwater in Canterbury

While the Court found that the RMA precluded our judicial review claim, it agreed with us - that the Council’s nitrate pollution rule was based on an error of law. We are now appealing parts of the decision.

Fighting nitrate pollution in Canterbury: ALIL
Fighting nitrate pollution in Canterbury: ALIL

We challenged Environment Canterbury’s decision to grant a problematic nitrogen discharge consent to a major irrigation scheme, and we won.

Climate

Featured
The fight for a credible climate plan
The fight for a credible climate plan

With our friends, Lawyers for Climate Action NZ, we are taking legal action against the Minister of Climate Change over ‘glaring holes’ in the Government’s climate plan.

Holding Z Energy accountable for its climate change claims
Holding Z Energy accountable for its climate change claims

As a result of our joint case against Z Energy, the fossil fuel company has apologised to the public for any confusion caused by aspects of its advertising campaign, which claimed it was in the business of getting out of the petrol business.

Biodiversity

Featured
Protecting Mount Messenger wildlife
Protecting Mount Messenger wildlife

We challenged DOC’s decisions to grant a permit and a consent authorising the incidental killing of wildlife during the Mt Messenger bypass project, and we won.

Hazardous substances

Featured
Challenging the EPA’s regulatory failure on glyphosate
Challenging the EPA’s regulatory failure on glyphosate

Challenging the EPA’s regulatory failure on glyphosate.

Other initiatives

News
Calling on Ministers to use their powers to protect leatherback turtles
Calling on Ministers to use their powers to protect leatherback turtles

We’re calling on the government to take immediate action to prevent fishing-related deaths of critically endangered West Pacific leatherback turtle in New Zealand waters. 

Calling on Ministers to use their powers to protect hoiho
Calling on Ministers to use their powers to protect hoiho

Hoiho are in serious trouble, especially the mainland population, which is in rapid decline and at risk of extinction. We’ve written to Ministers calling for urgent action to protect hoiho.