A block of South Canterbury land rich with native plants that existed before human habitation will be preserved after the Nature Heritage Fund purchased it. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage today announced the formal protection of 19 hectares of uncultivated land, 5 kilometres north east of Geraldine, purchased from the Ellery family who have owned the site since 1886. The family offered the land to the Fund for purchase after it was declared a significant natural area under the RMA, because...

The Government’s plan to introduce a new Zero Carbon Bill has brought thousands of people together to discuss how we address climate change. More than 14,000 submissions were received during the six week consultation, which closed today. “I have been impressed by the number of businesses and farming leaders who have stood up to share their commitment to leading the change,” says the Minister for Climate Change. “I believe there will be many benefits that come from us taking advantage...

The new Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Board chairperson and deputy were announced by Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today. The new chairperson is Julie Hardaker and her deputy is Steven Tipene Wilson. The EPA board is responsible for the EPA’s governance. The EPA makes decisions for and regulates hazardous substances and new organisms as well as specified marine activities in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone. It also provides administrative support for the decision-making on major infrastructure and called in projects...

Local government leadership is crucial to turn around New Zealand’s approach to waste, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage says. Today at its AGM and conference Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) voted to support several proposals to tackle recycling and waste problems, including calling for strong Government leadership. “I welcome local government's support and leadership on the pressing issue of waste reduction.  Work is underway in the Ministry for the Environment in the areas identified by LGNZ,” Eugenie Sage said. “Since...

New information confirms work is needed to ensure there are good standards and clear information for consumers about biodegradable and compostable plastics, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage says. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton published an online guide on biodegradable and compostable plastics yesterday. “It’s very hard for families and businesses to make choices that are good for the environment when some products don’t do what they say,” Eugenie Sage said. “This guide is a valuable resource for...

The Minister for Climate Change strongly welcomes the commitment by the new Climate Leaders Coalition of 60 businesses to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions and leading the way to the low-carbon economy. “These 60 companies - from Z Energy, to Spark, Vodafone, Air New Zealand, Contact Energy, Meridian, Ngai Tahu Holdings and Ravensdown - make up nearly half of our country’s total greenhouse gas emissions when you include their supply chains. “So to have them formally join the challenge to...

The Green Party is celebrating the launch of the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme today, which will deliver warm, dry, healthy homes for a huge number of New Zealanders. “We’re incredibly happy to see our policy becoming a reality,” says Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes. “We’ve campaigned for proper home insulation for every Kiwi home for so long, and we’re making it happen in government. “Having a warm, dry, healthy home can literally be a lifesaver. It’s good for people,...

The Green Party's former national Co-convenor Pete Huggins will take up a new role supporting Green MPs' political and communications strategy in Parliament at the end of the month, Green Party Chief of Staff Tory Whanau announced today. "Pete has 10 years' experience managing communications and strategy for the Party, and knows the organisation from the grassroots up," Tory Whanau said. "The Greens continue to work with the Labour/NZ First coalition in Government, to deliver policy that ensures our communities...

The Government is backing a Hawke’s Bay Regional Council plan to make Mahia Peninsula possum free with a $1.62 million funding injection announced by Conservation Minister, Eugenie Sage today. The Predator Free Hawke’s Bay Project builds on two existing projects and expands predator control work onto the Mahia Peninsula. “The community wants to create a possum-free Mahia, and at the same time will control feral cats, stoats and ferrets,” Eugenie Sage said. “The Government is contributing $1.62 million through a...

The Green Party has called for a review of MPI’s investigation of a milking shed after new footage of dairy cow abuse was released by Newsroom today. “The footage is absolutely shocking and beating animals with steel tubes should have no place on New Zealand farms,” says Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Gareth Hughes. “This should have been detected and prosecuted the first time the farm was investigated. “MPI needs to do its job and investigate or the entire country’s...