The Environmental Law Initiative is taking the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to court over the Hector’s and Māui Dolphin Threat Management Plan, saying it fails to adequately protect the dolphins from being killed by fishing.  

“Māui and Hector’s dolphins were once the most common dolphins in New Zealand waters until their rapid decline due to fishing-related deaths,” says ELI’s director, research and legal, Dr Matt Hall.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.