News and submissions
Public talk: Our water, our future
Join Dr Mike Joy and ELI for a public talk on the future of freshwater in Canterbury.
Court to decide on legality of Environment Canterbury’s nitrate pollution rule
We are challenging Environment Canterbury’s blanket rule allowing nitrate pollution in the Christchurch High Court this week.
“Canterbury holds the majority of Aotearoa's freshwater, but this public resource is significantly degraded,” says ELI’s Senior Researcher, Anna Sintenie.
Submission: National wastewater standard consultation
ELI’s submission to the Water Services Authority (Taumata Arowai) on a set of proposed wastewater environmental performance standards (wastewater standards) under section 138 of the Water Services Act 2021.
Submission: Modernising Conservation Land Management proposals
ELI’s submission to the Department of Conservation on the Modernising Conservation Land Management proposals.
WIN: High Court finds Environment Southland failed to act against huge wetland losses
High Court finds Environment Southland failed to act against huge wetland losses.
Submission: Resource Management Act (Consenting and Other Systems changes) Amendment Bill
ELI’s submission on the Resource Management Act (Consenting and Other Systems changes) Amendment Bill.
We’re taking Environment Canterbury to court over water pollution from nitrates (again)
In a judicial review announced today, the Environmental Law Initiative alleges Environment Canterbury failed to account for the impact of nitrogen discharges on drinking water supplies when granting a discharge consent to MHV Water Ltd.
“We believe there are firm grounds for the Council’s consent to be overturned,” says ELI’s Senior Legal Researcher, Lottie Boardman.
Our rivers deserve better than ‘quick and dirty’
Water is a public good. No one automatically has the right to pour contaminants or waste into water - or land, in circumstances where it may enter water.
Yet, last week, the Government weakened key provisions of the Resource Management Act, meaning more pollution into rivers, lakes, wetlands and estuaries - such as nitrate from cow urine - is suddenly allowable.
Rivers to suffer from Government’s amendment to s107 of RMA
The Coalition Government’s plan to amend s107 of the RMA threatens to undermine a fundamental baseline protection for freshwater ecosystems.
Govt lacks clear rationale for weakening water pollution protections
In August, Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay announced the Government wants to urgently make ‘clarifying’ changes to section 107 of the RMA. In ELI’s view, the change is not about clarification, but really about weakening environmental protections.
ECan’s appeal of the ALIL consent case
ECan is appealing ELI’s High Court win on the ALIL consent case.