High Court finds Environment Southland failed to act against huge wetland losses. 

High Court victory for Environmental Law Initiative and Northland hapū in fisheries case. 

ELI’s submission to the Environmental Protection Authority’s proposal to ban chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos is an insecticide used to control a broad range of insect pests on plants. ELI supports the EPA’s proposal to revoke all approvals for chlorpyrifos-containing substances.

ELI’s submission to Fisheries NZ’s review of sustainability measures for spiny rock lobster (crayfish) for the area known as CRA 2, which covers the Hauraki Gulf.

In a judicial review announced today, the Environmental Law Initiative alleges Environment Canterbury failed to account for the impact of nitrogen discharges on drinking water supplies when granting a discharge consent to MHV Water Ltd. 

“We believe there are firm grounds for the Council’s consent to be overturned,” says ELI’s Senior Legal Researcher, Lottie Boardman. 

Following a case brought by ELI, the High Court has found systemic failings over two decades with the management and reporting of protected species bycatch in commercial fisheries. 

ELI has submitted on the Government’s consultation on Setting Aotearoa New Zealand’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.

Water is a public good. No one automatically has the right to pour contaminants or waste into water - or land, in circumstances where it may enter water. 

Yet, last week, the Government weakened key provisions of the Resource Management Act, meaning more pollution into rivers, lakes, wetlands and estuaries - such as nitrate from cow urine - is suddenly allowable.

“These chemicals end up everywhere. They are in our food, in our playgrounds, in our gardens, and in our waterways. The EPA should be making decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of how glyphosate and its co-formulants affect us here in New Zealand,” says Ms Upperton. 

The Coalition Government’s plan to amend s107 of the RMA threatens to undermine a fundamental baseline protection for freshwater ecosystems.

From September 30th – October 1st, ELI will be in the Christchurch High Court, holding Environment Southland to account for the wide-scale destruction of wetlands under its watch.

In July, ELI filed proceedings against the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries asserting that the 2023 orange roughy catch limit did not take into account the best available information on the size of the area trawled for orange roughy.