Articles by Lan

nature and climate

RMA replacement laws pass today, usher in new era of harm to the environment

The Green Party says the worst parts of the new laws replacing core environmental legislation were copied and pasted from industry lobbying documents, and will allow untold harm to human health and the environment.“With the passing of these bills, Aotearoa is in a new era of environmental exploitation at the hands of polluting industries,” says Green Party Environment spokesperson Lan Pham. “At a time when half of our rivers are too polluted to swim in, ocean fisheries like tarakihi are...

Posted at September 23, 2026 11:43 AM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Public pressure on Conservation Amendment Bill forces roll back but meaningless as worst elements still remain

Public pressure has forced the Coalition Government to roll back parts of the Conservation Amendment Bill, but changes are essentially meaningless when the remaining clauses could still have disastrous ramifications, says the Green Party. “While we welcome the Select Committee’s decision to abandon the controversial conservation land exchange and disposal provisions, New Zealanders should remain extremely concerned about the ‘squeeze any economic value at any cost’ approach of the economic clauses in the Bill,” says Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham. ...

Posted at September 03, 2026 3:52 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Government’s RMA replacement bills get worse at select committee, now a ‘race to the bottom’

The Government’s replacement resource management bills have come back from select committee weaker than before, removing and weakening key environmental safeguards and leaving New Zealanders to pay the cost.“At a time when pollution and exploitation of our environment is unprecedented, these Bills are now a race to the bottom. The Luxon Government is stripping away environmental protections while New Zealanders are left paying for the costs of environmental damage and the Government’s regulatory relief framework,” says Greens Party Environment spokesperson...

Posted at July 20, 2026 4:30 PM by Lan Pham

$30m for school drinking water safety is a start but pollution keeps flowing

The Green Party is welcoming Government investment of $30m into school drinking water following their questions on the issue, but warns rural communities will continue to get sick until broader pollution problems are addressed.The Green Party released data in April showing 9000 students across more than 70 schools and pre-schools faced unsafe drinking water in 2025, with water breaching safe Drinking Water Standards at some point during the year.  “No child should face a health risk from the water coming out...

Posted at June 09, 2026 3:58 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

“End of an era” as Government law change disestablishes Ministry for the Environment

The Green Party is condemning the Government’s disestablishment of the Ministry for the Environment, following the law change required to scrap the Ministry passing through Parliament on Wednesday.“This Government is cementing their place as the most anti-environment Government in New Zealand’s history. This is a shameful end of an era,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham.  The Environment (Disestablishment of Ministry for the Environment) Amendment Bill is set to pass through parliament today despite substantial opposition from the public, with more than 99% of submitters against...

Posted at May 27, 2026 5:34 PM by Lan Pham

nature and climate

Bill would protect public conservation land this Government wants to mine

Green Party Member Lan Pham's Bill to prohibit mining on conservation land has been drawn from the ballot today. "Conservation land belongs to all of us. It is set aside to protect native plants, wildlife and the places New Zealanders love, not to be dug up for private profit," says Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham.  "This Bill simply protects conservation land in the way most New Zealanders would expect. It keeps conservation land for protection for everyone to enjoy, not exploitation for a few. It shuts the door...

Posted at May 21, 2026 4:44 PM by Lan Pham