
News and submissions
Statement on National MP Joseph Mooney’s proposed Climate Change (Restriction on Civil Proceedings) Bill
The National Party's proposed bill, which would outlaw the public from taking climate change litigation, is a dangerous attack on legal rights and our collective ability to take action on climate change.
WIN: High court rules DOC’s permit for Mt Messenger bypass failed to protect wildlife and was unlawful
We challenged DOC’s decisions to grant a permit and a consent authorising the incidental killing of wildlife during the Mt Messenger bypass project, and we won.
WIN: High Court finds Environment Southland failed to act against huge wetland losses
High Court finds Environment Southland failed to act against huge wetland losses.
WIN: High Court victory for ELI and Ngāti Kaharau and Ngāti Hau Hapū in fisheries case
High Court victory for Environmental Law Initiative and Northland hapū in fisheries case.
We’re taking Environment Canterbury to court over water pollution from nitrates (again)
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.
Win: High Court rules DOC’s ‘hands off’ approach to marine species protection unlawful
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.
Our rivers deserve better than ‘quick and dirty’
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.
ELI takes EPA to court over glyphosate-based herbicides decision
“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.
Rivers to suffer from Government’s amendment to s107 of RMA
The Coalition Government’s plan to amend s107 of the RMA threatens to undermine a fundamental baseline protection for freshwater ecosystems.
ELI takes Environment Southland to High Court for wetland losses
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.
Minister’s orange roughy decision challenged by ELI
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.