Environmental and economic values need to be brought onto the same playing field. Increased levels of environmental taxation over time are probably the only way we can make moving to a more environmentally sustainable economy affordable. Read more: 

In the PCE’s annual report, the Commissioner advocates for environmental law reform that incentivises those who live and work closest to the land to lead reforms and find solutions, supported by quality environmental data. Read more: 

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NZ’s climate policy has always been that all countries should do what they can to reduce emissions. Parliament must now decide whether repealing the oil & gas ban is consistent with that. Read PCE’s submission on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill: 

New PCE research shows 13% of present global warming from changes in GHG emissions comes from agricultural methane emissions. In NZ, 55% of our contribution to warming from GHG emissions comes from livestock methane. Read more: 

When reviewing NZ’s AgHort products, the Ministry for Regulation must consider how little is currently known about these products, where they are used & their environmental effects. PCE’s submission questions the current ‘hands off’ approach.

Not many New Zealanders see weeds as an urgent biosecurity priority, but they pose as great a threat as our four-legged, two-eyed predators. The PCE has written to the Ministers of Conservation and Biosecurity to ask for greater action on weeds.

The ‘least cost approach’ of New Zealand’s draft second emissions reduction plan risks passing on significant costs to future generations. The PCE’s submission on the plan says NZ is taking a massive gamble by relying on current ETS settings. Read more: 

New Zealand needs better environmental data and a greater information base. The Commissioner is urging the government to prioritise improving the data ecosystem and is calling for an update of the Environmental Reporting Act. Read more: 

Will the future landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand be primarily made up of pine plantations and dairy farms or mosaics of more diverse land use? Our report investigated this question in two catchments. Read our findings: 

NZ needs a rōpū of experts on Māori freshwater modelling to advise on bridging the gap between mātauranga Māori and regulatory requirements. It could also give advice on the best way for councils and tangata whenua to engage on water modelling. Read more: 

The Commissioner is recommending setting up a national freshwater modelling support centre to help councils and mana whenua with the development and use of models. Learn more: 

If we are to improve the declining state of New Zealand’s waterways, then better coordination and support for freshwater modelling is critical. Our current system needs improvement. Find out more: 

Catchment groups could play a larger, more proactive role in land use change. Their local knowledge combined with high quality data could lead to informed, place-specific environmental management. Read more:

No one else will tackle our problems or understand our bit of the planet for the same reason we will. Our environmental science investment needs to provide core non-contestable funding to do this. Read our submission to the Science Systems Advisory Group: 

The most objectionable feature of the Fast-track Approvals Bill is the attempt that has been made to exclude considering the risk of environmental harm at every turn. Read more on the Commissioner’s presentation to the Select Committee here: 

The report outlines the challenges NZ must confront when tackling land use change and discusses a possible way forward. Accompanying case studies show how current and alternative environmental policy could influence land use change in 2 catchments.

How can we tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and water quality while maintaining the economic, social and cultural life of rural Aotearoa New Zealand? The PCE’s latest report addresses this question.

What will NZ’s future landscapes look like? How is our current environmental policy driving land use change? What alternatives could we consider? The PCE will release two reports next week discussing these important questions. Get a copy: 

The Fast-track Approvals Bill poses significant risks to the environment and will achieve sub-optimal decision-making, poor allocation of resources and increased litigation risk if it proceeds as proposed. Read the PCE’s submission on the Bill here: 

Good topsoil and deep, permeable subsoil are needed for urban trees to grow and offer essential cooling, stormwater & other environmental benefits to our cities. Do our new subdivisions have enough healthy soil? Learn more: