A significant milestone in the journey towards achieving Predator Free Rakiura has been welcomed by the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage today, with the signing of a commitment to rid the island of pests.
“This is an ambitious vision to back nature on Rakiura/Stewart Island. Once achieved Rakiura/Stewart Island would be the largest inhabited predator free island in the world” says Eugenie Sage.
Several of New Zealand’s iconic lakes are getting a helping hand with a significant funding boost to help tackle the spread of aquatic weeds in the lakes said Land Information Minister, Eugenie Sage in Wanaka.
“With hundreds of thousands of people visiting our major lakes each year, keeping invasive aquatic weed at bay is essential to ensure they can continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.”
“I’m pleased that Budget 2019 has delivered LINZ the first increase to baseline funding in ten years to support its biosecurity and biodiversity programmes,” says Eugenie Sage.
The Government is investing in a sea trial of a new bait setting device that could help to eliminate seabird captures during the tuna longline setting process.
Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Minister of Fisheries Stuart Nash today announced the $350,000 project to test the device which sets baited hooks underwater, out of the sight and diving depth of seabirds.
Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today announced more support for Wanaka Wastebusters to get more people involved in reducing waste.
“We all need to take responsibility for reducing the impacts of waste and showing people how to do this is a great way to reduce waste and our greenhouse gas emissions from waste that goes to landfill,” says Eugenie Sage.
“This initiative is particularly exciting because of its strong community focus.”
The Green Party is deeply concerned by Japan’s resumption of commercial whaling, Green Party Animal Welfare Spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today.
“This is a sad day for whales and a real blow to international efforts to protect these magnificent creatures.
“I am very disappointed by Japan’s decision to pull out of the International Whaling Commission after the International Court of Justice ruled their previous whaling program was not for scientific purposes.
The ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, which takes effect on 1 July, is a step towards healthier oceans and giving nature a hand, says Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage.
“New Zealanders are proud of our country’s clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it. Ending the use of single-use plastic shopping bags helps do that” says Eugenie Sage.
The Green Party welcome increased support for Community Law Centres so that more New Zealanders have access to justice, Greens Justice spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman said today.
“Good legal support should be available for all.
“Everyone is entitled to legal representation and to know their rights. I’m glad this Government is working to ensure more people can access legal support across New Zealand.
“For far too long, community legal centres have been buckling under pressure trying to provide fair and accessible legal support for New Zealanders.
Central government needs to resource local councils to protect our waterways, Green Party Water spokesperson Marama Davidson said today, following reports that corporate oil dumping into Otuwairoa stream in Papakura is killing eels.
“Eels are a tāonga and a sign of the health of our Creeks. It hurts to see our waterways being dumped in like this.
“This disrespectful and deliberate dumping shows why we need to be holding corporate polluters to account.
Minister for Climate Change and Green Party co-leader, James Shaw, has congratulated New Zealand’s Climate Leaders Coalition on its milestone in now having signed up 100 members.
“This is an incredible achievement considering the Coalition was born out of the vision of some 60 business leaders less than a year ago,” James Shaw said.
“These 100 Climate Leaders Coalition members, together with their suppliers, now represent more than a third of New Zealand’s private sector GDP.
Minister for Land Information, Eugenie Sage announced Budget 2019 funding for a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) which will help save lives and drive innovation, alongside Minister for Transport, Phil Twyford.
“I’m pleased to announce that the Government, alongside Australia, is investing in world leading technology to vastly improve the accuracy of GPS in New Zealand enabling faster and safer helicopter rescues and innovation in a range of emerging technologies,” says Eugenie Sage.