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.
Our key recommendations for DOC's Conservation Services Programme
Populations of many protected species that inhabit New Zealand’s waters are declining. ELI recently submitted its feedback on DOC’s draft plan for the Conservation Services Programme, which serves as the government’s primary mechanism for understanding and tackling fishing-related risks to protected species. In light of the alarming decline in marine biodiversity and the precarious state of our marine environment, formulating an effective plan to thoroughly investigate and address the effects of fishing on our taonga marine species is critical. Here are our recommendations for improving the draft plan.
MPI’s proposals on “Habitats of Significance” misaligned with Fisheries Act
MPI recently sought feedback on its guidelines for “identifying habitats of particular significance” for fisheries management. Facing mounting pressure to address the declining health of coastal environments, MPI has claimed that this initiative is one of several to move Aotearoa New Zealand towards ecosystem-based management (EBM) of its fisheries.
ELI welcomes this end-goal, having made our views on the importance of EBM in Aotearoa’s fisheries known, both in court and in our public policy submissions. But we’re equally concerned that these proposals in their current form are unlikely to get us there. Here’s why.
Our submission on the Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill
NZ Parliament recently collected feedback on The Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill, which seeks to clarify that company directors can consider a range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters when making decisions for their company. Read our submission on the Bill here.
High Court finds Minister for Oceans and Fisheries must consider wider ecosystem when setting catch limits for fishing
ELI is pleased to announce the success of our first major litigation. The case, “CRA1”, is a judicial review by ELI and Te Uri o Hikihiki hapū, challenging the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Total Allowable Catch (TAC) decision for the Northland Rock Lobster stock in 2021 and 2022. The High Court today released its decision, finding that the 2021 and 2022 total allowable catch decisions for rock lobster in Northland were unlawful, and that the Minister must consider wider ecosystem when setting catch limits for fishing.
Improving our national plan for shark conservation in Aotearoa - our submission
New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is home to at least 113 species of shark, more than 70 of which have been recorded in NZ’s fisheries. Sharks play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, but face a litany of significant threats, most of which are human induced. Read our submission to FNZ and DOC on their Draft National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks 2022.
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.
Missed opportunities in the Fisheries Amendment Bill
Read our full submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill, and why the proposed changes are unlikely to fulfil the Govt’s stated intentions for our Oceans and Fisheries.
Improving Aotearoa’s environmental reporting system: our submission
Read our submission on MfE’s consultation to improve environmental reporting.
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.
Sand mining at Pakiri beach: Our submission to Auckland Council
Two resource consent applications have been lodged to Auckland Council by private company McCallum Bros to continue sand mining in-shore and mid-shore around the Pakiri beach area. If successful, these developments are likely to have negative effects on a number of indigenous species, habitats and taxa, including the New Zealand Fairy Tern (the rarest endemic bird species in Aotearoa). In ELI’s view, because of lack of available evidence on the ecological effects of the development, Auckland Council is obligated to apply a precautionary approach and decline the application, or pause it until further information is available.
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.