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.

“These chemicals end up everywhere. They are in our food, in our playgrounds, in our gardens, and in our waterways. The EPA should be making decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of how glyphosate and its co-formulants affect us here in New Zealand,” says Ms Upperton. 

The Coalition Government’s plan to amend s107 of the RMA threatens to undermine a fundamental baseline protection for freshwater ecosystems.

From September 30th – October 1st, ELI will be in the Christchurch High Court, holding Environment Southland to account for the wide-scale destruction of wetlands under its watch.

In July, ELI filed proceedings against the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries asserting that the 2023 orange roughy catch limit did not take into account the best available information on the size of the area trawled for orange roughy.

In August, ELI challenged the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Total Allowable Catch decision for crayfish in Northland in the Wellington High Court.  

The Government’s choices outlined in its proposed Emissions Reduction Plan would needlessly delay our transition towards a cleaner, healthier environment, society and economy.  

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.

ELI has filed legal proceedings against the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries and the Director General of MPI, challenging decisions related to the amount of levies collected from the fishing industry.

ELI has won again against ECan.

ECan is appealing ELI’s High Court win on the ALIL consent case.

ELI has amended its statement of claim in the Mt Messenger case.

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 has made a submission on the proposed Waikato Regional Coastal Plan.

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.

Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) has consulted on a range of changes to the bycatch reporting requirements for commercial fishers.

Read the Waitangi Tribunal claim by Tangata Marae for numerous treaty breaches at Te Weraiti

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.