Submissions are rolling in from across New Zealand on the Government’s proposed phase-out of single-use plastic shopping bags, with more than 4,000 received so far. Now with just over a week of the consultation to go, Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage is encouraging all Kiwis who want to have their say on this issue, to do so. “New Zealanders have called on the Government to take action on single-use plastic bags, and we’ve listened. Earlier this year I received a...

The Green Party has welcomed greater investment for Canterbury in clean, green transport choices like walking, cycling, and public transport. “It is fantastic to see over $200 million earmarked for the Canterbury region for more investment in public transport, walking and cycling; and $127 million being put into buses and improving the public transport network,” Christchurch based Green MP, Eugenie Sage said today. “Public transport in Christchurch and Timaru is long overdue for more investment to create a more effective...

Cutting edge mapping of Tōtaranui /Queen Charlotte Sound seabed will provide new insights into the region’s marine environment, says Land Information Minister, Eugenie Sage. “Nearly 44 hectares of seabed data from the region is now available on request to help scientists, boaties, government agencies, and the public better understand the Sound’s marine environment and physical features within these iconic waters,” said Eugenie Sage. “Queen Charlotte Sound is a very important area for marine farming, a major navigational channel for ferries,...

More than $3 million of funding will help divert 40,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste from landfills in Auckland every year. Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today announced a Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) grant of $3.1 million to enable Auckland recycling firm Green Gorilla to divert the waste and allow materials to be reused. “Useful materials are ending up in landfill instead of being reused. Green Gorilla’s project gives businesses an alternative to simply dumping these materials,” Eugenie Sage...

  Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage has announced a programme of work to take action on New Zealand’s long-neglected waste problems. “Since taking on the waste portfolio I have heard loud and clear from New Zealanders that they find our country’s record on waste unacceptable and want action after nine years of neglect under National,” Eugenie Sage said. “This Government has listened to New Zealanders and started by consulting on our plan to phase out single use plastic bags. Now...

Single-use plastic shopping bags will be phased out over the next year, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage announced today. “We’re phasing-out single-use plastic bags so we can better look after our environment and safeguard New Zealand’s clean, green reputation,” said Jacinda Ardern. “We’re listening to New Zealanders who want us to take action on this problem. This year 65,000 Kiwis signed a petition calling for an outright ban. It’s also the biggest single subject school...

A vital step towards better protecting indigenous freshwater fish was taken with today’s introduction of a new indigenous fish conservation bill in Parliament. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill amends the Conservation Act 1987 to provide a much-needed “modern toolbox” to help indigenous freshwater fish. “Our indigenous freshwater fish are in trouble. New Zealand has 54 indigenous freshwater fish species and 22 of these are threatened with extinction. Whitebait, freshwater and lamprey fisheries have...

A new report shows serious concerns remain for the continued existence of the native Canterbury mudfish, which is on the brink of extinction. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage released the New Zealand Threat Classification System report on freshwater fish today. The report provides the latest conservation status of New Zealand’s 76 known freshwater fish species. “Canterbury mudfish remain in the Threatened – Nationally Critical category, and continue to decline,” Eugenie Sage said. “Much of the Canterbury mudfish habitat is on private...

The Government is supporting a project to make Wellington the world’s first predator free capital city with a $3.27 million funding boost announced by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage today. Capital Kiwi Project (a charitable trust) and Predator Free Wellington, a joint venture between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and NEXT Foundation are jointly working to create a predator free Wellington which the Predator Free 2050 Limited funding will support. “This work will help native plants and wildlife thrive...

More than half the new appointments to Conservation Boards announced by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage today are women. Eugenie Sage announced 57 appointments to the 15 Conservation Boards across New Zealand. “Conservation Boards are the link between DOC and the community. They help ensure their region’s voice is heard on conservation issues,” Eugenie Sage said. “These appointments bring the number of women on the boards to 52 per cent and 41 per cent identify as Maori. “I am thrilled to...