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 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.
Concerns over lack of transparency and timely data in government’s latest freshwater report
The Ministry for the Environment has released its latest report on the state of freshwater in Aotearoa, “Our Freshwater 2023”, which provides an overview of the state of freshwater in Aotearoa, New Zealand. While elements of the report contain strengths, ELI is concerned that the 2023 iteration misses a crucial opportunity to provide a comprehensive assessment of changes in freshwater health over time. Read our brief analysis here.
Ensuring environmental protection is prioritised in the RMA reform
ELI has submitted comprehensive feedback for the government on the Natural Built and Environment Bill (NBEB) and the Spatial Planning Bill (SPB), both of which are set to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA). The RMA is one of NZ’s most important pieces of legislation – governing what can be built, when, where and how.
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.
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.
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).
Opinion: We need to ask harder questions about the herbicide glyphosate
The Environmental Protection Authority report into the use of glyphosate is open to criticism for presenting scientific information on a par with the opinions of industry. With growing evidence of its negative environmental effects, a reassessment should get the go-ahead
“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.
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.
Without a better plan, New Zealand risks sleepwalking into a biodiversity extinction crisis
Read our analysis in The Conversation on Aotearoa’s biodiversity crisis, and why we must strengthen our plan for addressing it.
EPA accepts ELI’s recommendations in evidence-based regulation of hazardous substances - Press Release
ELI is pleased to announce that their recommendations have been heard in the EPA’s reassessment of diazinon, fenamiphos and methamidophos. These chemicals are known as organophosphates (OPs), which are the main component of herbicides, pesticides and incecticides widely used across New Zealand.
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.