ECan’s appeal of the ALIL consent case
ECan is appealing ELI’s High Court win on the ALIL consent case.
ELI challenges another Mt Messenger bypass decision
ELI has amended its statement of claim in the Mt Messenger case.
ELI seeks High Court declaration that Z Energy has misled New Zealanders
ELI is partnering with Consumer NZ and Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc to seek declarations from the High Court that Z Energy has misled New Zealanders with its public messaging.
ELI submits on the proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan
ELI has made a submission on the proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan.
ELI takes first step on reassessment of glyphosate
A reassessment of glyphosate using the most up-to-date independent science is long overdue. We have taken the first step towards a reassessment by applying to EPA to determine whether legal grounds exist for a reassessment.
ELI supports hapū to file Waitangi Tribunal claim for numerous breaches of Te Tiriti
Read the Waitangi Tribunal claim by Tangata Marae for numerous treaty breaches at Te Weraiti
ELI urges swift action to phase out harmful chemicals in everyday products
With growing awareness of the potential risks associated with specific chemicals found in everyday products, evidence-based regulation of these substances is imperative to safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of the environment, its people, and our communities. In light of this, ELI recently submitted their recommendations to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regarding the proposed revisions to the Cosmetic Products Group Standard. Read our full submission here.
What do NZ’s latest wetland regulations mean?
Recently, the New Zealand government made changes to the 2020 Freshwater Package after collecting input from the public. The 2020 Freshwater Package was supposed to provide increased protections for wetlands, in line with the government's policy goal of "no further wetland loss." However, following a lengthy consultation process, the government has proceeded with significant changes against recommendations of eNGOs and other concerned groups. Here, we break down what the new policy means and why it is significant.
Protecting our coastal wetlands - our submission to MfE
Our submission to the Ministry for the Environment on their proposed changes to provisions for wetlands in the coastal marine area (CMA).
“Managing our Wetlands” and Technical Amendments - ELI’s Submission
Our submission to Ministry for Environment on the 2022 Exposure drafts of the NPS-FM and NES-F: “Managing our Wetlands” and Technical Amendments.
Structural issues and under-resourcing at the heart of DOC’s backlog problems
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is in the process of making targeted amendments to several pieces of conservation legislation, particularly the Conservation Act 1987, the National Parks Act 1980, and the Reserves Act 1977.
In ELI’s view, however, these reforms misdiagnose problems, and overlook the core issues hampering DOC from effectively doing its job. Read our full submission here.
Improving Aotearoa’s environmental reporting system: our submission
Read our submission on MfE’s consultation to improve environmental reporting.
Job opening - Senior Legal/Policy/Environmental Researcher
The Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) is looking to recruit two senior researchers to join our team. We are looking for inquisitive people who have a strong a background in law, policy, or science and want to make a difference for Aotearoa's environment and biodiversity. The senior researchers will use their skills to investigate legal and policy issues to improve the ways our natural taonga are regulated and managed.
Stewardship land review could result in more mining on conservation land
ELI is concerned at proposals to invoke a special procedure to review the status of public Stewardship Land. As presently set up, the Government’s proposed measures for carrying out this review suffer from a number of shortcomings which could see large swathes of precious public land disposed of to mining interests. Read our full submission to DOC here.
Leveraging wetlands in NZ’s climate change response
Our submission to MfE on why we must prioritise the restoration and conservation of wetlands and peatlands into our emissions reductions approach.
Living up to our international fisheries obligations: our submission to FNZ
With an EEZ that occupies a relatively generous share of the world’s oceans, New Zealand lags behind other countries in its adoption of international standards and norms. This consultation provides the perfect opportunity for New Zealand to do a stock take against international developments in fishing over the past 25 years, redress the current inadequacies in the Fisheries Act (we have suggested two), and fully implement the international obligations we have signed up to on the world stage.
Our submission on the EPA’s reassessment of organophosphates (OPs)
These OPs are the main components of widely used insecticides, pesticides and herbicides in NZ. They have been banned in numerous jurisdictions including the EU and US, due to evidence of significant adverse environments on people and the environment. However, there is an almost complete lack of evidence on the effects of these OPs on NZ’s environment, indigenous taxa and habitats. There is also a lack of evidence on the benefits and economic costs of continuing/discontinuing their use. In ELI’s view, this evidence is crucial to undertaking an informed reassessment. Without it, the EPA should follow the HSNO Act and apply a precautionary approach to its regulation of these hazardous substances.
Managing our Wetlands - Our Submission to MfE
Wetlands are one of New Zealand’s most ecologically valuable, and highly threatened, ecosystems. Since European settlement, more than 90% of our wetlands have been lost to urban or agricultural development. Protecting the few wetlands that we have left is of paramount importance for Aotearoa’s climate resilience, biodiversity, human health and community wellbeing. Read our submission to MfE on their recent proposals to shift wetland regulations, making it easier for industries to destroy wetlands.
Our submission on the HSNO (Hazardous Substances Assessments) Amendment Bill
New Zealand lags behind other OECD nations in its regulation of hazardous substances. Many chemicals banned overseas continue to be used daily in NZ. ELI therefore supports the aim and purpose of the HSNO Amendment Bill. Any improvements to the hazardous substances regulatory regime are to be welcomed.
Our submission on the Freshwater Farm Plan Regulations
ELI has lodged a submission on the Freshwater farm plan regulations proposals. Our key concern is that the Government’s proposed Freshwater Farm Planning system is putting the cart before the horse, and in doing so risks the integrity of both our immediate and longer term limits set to protect and restore our freshwater.