Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ (ECO)

11/10/2026

Governments have failed to deal with the disastrous impact of bottom trawling on marine biodiversity. There are currently alternative methods for most fisheries. With corals and sponge gardens still being destroyed, its time NZ made progress to phase out bottom trawling. There are still little protection on seamounts and biogenic features in fishable depths as well as the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Time for all parties to clearly state their opposition to bottom trawling on seamounts and similar features as the first steps.

Bottom trawling could be a make or break policy when it comes time to form the next government.

30/09/2026

The Government has been repealing or weakening climate measures for the last 3 years. The EU Trade Agreement has measures requiring climate action so it should come as no surprise to the Coalition Government that its policies would be challenged. They had been warned in numerous submissions to Select Committees when considering repealing or weakening climate action. Foreign Affairs (MFAT) and the Climate Commission have also put out warnings to Ministers on the consequences of failing to take climate action. ECO welcomes Both ENDS, joined by Greenpeace, taking this action for the sake of a stable climate, future generations and biodiversity conservation.

The complaint to the EU addresses NZ reversal of climate policies, which Greenpeace says are an environmental 'race to the bottom'.

24/09/2026

The important BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Treaty reaches 100 parties, including Australia & Canada who where amongst the latest members. There is still no sign of NZ's ratification law, which will leave us as an observer at the 1st MOP in January. Really important decision will be made at that meeting. The Government failed to give this Bill priority.

Thanks High Seas Alliance.

24/09/2026

Govt wastes more money on promoting fossil fuels and climate chaos rather than investing in renewables and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Govt action is though climate change doesn't exist and there are cheaper and safer approaches. It also ignores earlier court decision. Time to end subsidies on fossil fuels.

The government is putting $40.5 million towards two gas exploration projects, from the government's $200m gas exploration fund.

23/09/2026

Some good news -LNG terminal decision delayed - let's hope this becomes permanent. The expensive fossil LNG terminal that NZ does not need would have added to NZ's greenhouse pollution and locked in high electricity prices. There are much cheaper alternatives including the expansion of rooftop solar and batteries. ECO calls on all political parties to commit to permanently axing this LNG proposal.

ACT and New Zealand First have all but confirmed a decision on whether the government should underwrite a new liquefied natural gas terminal has been put off until after the election.

22/09/2026

The repeal of the RMA is bad day for NZ's environment and communities. The replacement law: restricts public participation,; undermines protection of threatened species and native biodiversity, retains fatally flawed fast track law; has no real environmental limits; scraps council-iwi agreements on resource management; introduces a compensation scheme which could cost billions and prevent controls and restoration of the environment.

The new law takes the country back over 35 years to the days when the environment was not take seriously in resource management decisions. ECO all parties to repeal these laws and replacing it with effecting resource management law.

The two laws replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) have passed their third reading in Parliament.

22/09/2026

Another poor decision by the Govt to convert a clean energy rule into one that increases pollution by allowing more fossil fuels in LPG, diesel or coal. The Government seems to prefer climate chaos rather than implementing policies to phase out greenhouse pollution.

A scheme designed to help businesses get off gas will subsidise them to use coal, diesel or LPG instead – if they wish.

22/09/2026

Minister Jones's tarakihi decision is bad news for the marine environment. The crashed Eastern Tarakihi Fishery should have been closed by the Minister to allow it to rebuild from its parlous state of 7.7% of its unfished size. The Minister has ignored the science. In addition, the increase in trevally and snapper in the same area will put further pressure on tarakihi. More ecologically unsustainable fishing.

Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says tarakihi catch limits will be reduced, with a nationwide recreational fishing limit of 10 per person.

22/09/2026

This is a sensible decision by Ministers and Officials. As they note: "Ocean fertilisation poses potentially long-term, severe, and widespread environmental risks." Time for action on real reductions in greenhouse gases rather than more excuses for inaction.

An international start-up wanting to carry out controversial carbon storage research in New Zealand waters has had its request for regulation changes turned down.