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Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
Environmental Defence Society - Latest News [Page 1]
EDS Celebrates 50 Years With Book Launches In Auckland And Wellington
Monday, 22 April 2024, 4:37 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Environmental Defenders: Fighting for our natural world tells the story of how the law has been mobilised to protect some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most precious places. Written by Raewyn Peart, EDS’s Policy Director, the book contains much ... More >>
EDS Highlights Reputational Risks Of Fast-track Inclusion
Sunday, 21 April 2024, 8:07 pm | Environmental Defence Society
“Make no mistake: this proposed legislation, with its Ministerial overreach and capacity for environmental harm, is extremely radical and controversial,” said EDS CEO Gary Taylor. More >>
EDS Calls For Fast-track Approvals Bill To Be Abandoned In Submission To Select Committee
Friday, 12 April 2024, 1:44 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) has filed its final substantive submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill. More >>
EDS Releases Draft Submission On The Alarming Fast Track Approvals Bill
Friday, 15 March 2024, 4:58 pm | Environmental Defence Society
EDS has today released a first draft of its submission on the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 7 March and has been referred to the Environment Select Committee. Submissions to the Select Committee close 19 April. ... More >>
Minister Tells Councils To Break The Law In Latest Attack On Our Environment
Thursday, 14 March 2024, 1:52 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Associate Minister for the Environment, Hon Andrew Hoggard, has today told Councils to suspend further work on identifying Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) in their plans. “This is the latest in a rolling maul of attacks on the constitution and ... More >>
The Government’s War On Nature Goes Nuclear
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:41 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The government’s assault on the environment has stepped up several gears, with the introduction of a new fast track consenting law to Parliament today. This replaces the existing fast-track law which has been working well and reducing consenting times ... More >>
Another Missile Launched In Government’s War On Nature
Wednesday, 28 February 2024, 2:59 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Government’s arrogant disregard for the natural world is again on display, this time threatening coastal waters and the ocean, as it plans to automatically extend the duration of all marine farm consents in the country. And it is giving ... More >>
Environmental Defence Society Lays Down Challenge To Bluegreens Forum At Waitangi
Saturday, 24 February 2024, 1:44 pm | Environmental Defence Society
By Gary Taylor, CEO of Environmental Defence Society Kia ora koutou Congratulations on yet another well-attended Bluegreens Forum. This is an excellent initiative and I’m pleased to have attended most of them. The Forum is an assembly of progressive ... More >>
It’s Not A Merry Christmas For The Environment
Thursday, 21 December 2023, 2:06 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Forest & Bird and the Environmental Defence Society are dismayed that the new Government has just rammed through a dramatic assault on Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment. The environmental protections that look after our special places have ... More >>
Environmental Defence Society releases its Briefings for Incoming Ministers
Sunday, 10 December 2023, 2:00 pm | Environmental Defence Society
EDS has today released its Briefings for Incoming Ministers in the new Coalition Government. The BIMs cover the following portfolio areas and Ministers: Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for the Environment Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Resource Management ... More >>
Memo To Incoming Government: Don’t Forget About The Environment
Tuesday, 14 November 2023, 5:19 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Environmental Defence Society is calling on all parties to prioritise care for our country’s natural environment in their coalition agreements. “No government has a mandate to increase pollution or species extinctions in this country. But some ... More >>
Environment Policies Revealed
Thursday, 14 September 2023, 7:34 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Last Night’s EDS Political Debate generated some heat but also shed some light on party policies for the environment and conservation. Hosted by Auckland law firm Bell Gully and livestreamed to a large audience, Hon David Parker (Labour), Hon John More >>
EDS & Partners Urge Government To Accelerate Gross Emissions Reductions And Strengthen Incentives For Indigenous Forests
Tuesday, 15 August 2023, 12:37 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Government consultations on two key Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) reform opportunities closed on Friday. One considered whether (and if so, how) the ETS should prioritise gross emissions reductions whilst maintaining support for forestry removals. The ... More >>
EDS Applauds Announcement That Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Proceeding
Wednesday, 9 August 2023, 11:54 am | Environmental Defence Society
The government today announced that 17 new marine protected areas and extensions to two existing marine reserves in the Hauraki Gulf will proceed. “I am absolutely delighted with today’s announcement confirming that we will finally see significantly ... More >>
Wildlife Laws Need Transformational Change
Thursday, 13 July 2023, 6:10 pm | Environmental Defence Society
EDS has released its working paper on the Wildlife Act 1953 as part of its wider project on options for reform of the conservation system. Co-authored by Dr Deidre Koolen-Bourke, Raewyn Peart and Shay Schlaepfer, the working paper canvasses key ... More >>
EDS Welcomes National Policy Statement For Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS IB)
Friday, 7 July 2023, 11:51 am | Environmental Defence Society
The National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS IB) has been approved by the Governor-General and will come into force on 4 August 2023. “This is a great step forward for protecting nature and has been many years in gestation,” said ... More >>
The Conservation Management Planning System Is Broken And Needs Urgent Overhaul
Sunday, 25 June 2023, 4:13 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) today released its review of the Conservation Management Planning System, which calls for urgent reform to deliver better conservation outcomes. Co-authored by Dr Deidre Koolen-Bourke, Raewyn Peart, Bronwyn Wilde and ... More >>
EDS Opposes Renewables Plan
Thursday, 1 June 2023, 9:17 am | Environmental Defence Society
EDS has lodged its submission on “ Strengthening National Direction on Renewable Electricity Generation and Electricity Transmission ”, a consultation document prepared by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment and the Ministry ... More >>
EDS Finds Significant Gaps In Current Law For Managed Retreat
Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 10:28 am | Environmental Defence Society
EDS has released its second working paper as part of its Aotearoa New Zealand’s Climate Change Adaptation Act: Building a Durable Future project. The project is focussed on developing recommendations for the content of the new Climate Adaptation ... More >>
EDS Endorses The Recommendations Of The Forestry Inquiry
Friday, 12 May 2023, 3:06 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Report of the Ministerial Inquiry into land uses associated with the mobilisation of woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne District and Wairoa District was released today. EDS and others called for the Inquiry after ... More >>
