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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 Says Proposals For Climate Adaptation Have Significant Gaps
Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 3:51 pm | EDS
“Certainly, more consistent, higher quality and more accessible information on hazard risks will benefit everyone. Recognition that iwi and hapū will require funding support for their adaptation initiatives is also positive. More >>
Government Undermines Regional Powers To Protect Coastal Biodiversity
Sunday, 15 June 2025, 1:38 pm | EDS
“This is a direct attack on the ability of local communities to safeguard their coastal environments,” said EDS Chief Operating Officer Shay Schlaepfer. More >>
EDS Has Concerns Over Sweeping Review Of National Direction Under The RMA
Thursday, 29 May 2025, 2:07 pm | EDS
This review is being driven more by political expediency and ad hoc coalition agreements than sound policy logic. More >>
Environmental Defence Society Strikes Procedural Fast-Track Win
Monday, 26 May 2025, 10:42 am | Environmental Defence Society
The EPA’s previous approach meant that it was sitting on application documentation for weeks without the public knowing. That’s precious time that interested parties can now use to review a project’s technical information. More >>
Nature In The Balance: EDS Wraps Up Landmark Dollars And Sense Conference
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 3:32 pm | EDS
The conference explored how to reshape land use practices to enhance biodiversity and carbon resilience. Speakers including Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton raised concerns about perverse incentives driving pine afforestation ... More >>
Oceans Symposium Highlights Need To Establish Independent Oceans Commission
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 6:54 pm | EDS
An overarching theme of the day was the power of collaborative effort in achieving positive change. More >>
EDS Report Highlights Need To Better Manage Cumulative Impacts On The Otago Coast
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, 1:09 pm | Environmental Defence Society
“The Otago coastal area has extraordinary marine biodiversity as a result of its unique biophysical characteristics,” said case study author and EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart. More >>
EDS Report Highlights Urgent Need To Get On With MPA Reform
Sunday, 4 May 2025, 1:33 pm | EDS
“New Zealand is far behind international best practice for MPA legislation and practice and is far from meeting its international biodiversity obligations,” said EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart. More >>
EDS releases concerning assessment of RMA reform proposals
Sunday, 27 April 2025, 4:36 pm | EDS
EDS will continue to engage in good faith as detailed policy development continues at pace. More >>
Environment Court Confirms Indigenous Biodiversity Values In The Mackenzie Basin Are Deserving Of Bespoke Protection
Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 4:10 pm | EDS
EDS has been advocating for appropriate protection of the Basin’s special indigenous biodiversity and outstanding landscapes for years. This decision builds on our work, and that of others, and is another step closer to ensuring that the Basin’s high ... More >>
Fisheries Reforms Will Not Ensure Sustainability
Friday, 11 April 2025, 1:54 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Any changes to on-board cameras and landing and discard rules should not undermine the ability to monitor and verify self-reported catch data. Some of the proposals lack sufficient checks and balances and require further refinement. More >>
A One-day Symposium Focused On The Ocean - Monday 12 May 2025
Tuesday, 8 April 2025, 12:21 pm | EDS
Running on Monday 12 May, the day prior to our 2-day conference, the symposium will review some of the current and future challenges we are facing in managing our oceans well and potential responses. More >>
EDS Welcomes Closure Of The Inner Hauraki Gulf Rock Lobster Fishery
Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 6:42 pm | EDS
“It’s great to see Hon Minister Jones taking action to reduce fishing pressure on rock lobster populations in the inner Hauraki Gulf,” says EDS Chief Operating Officer Shay Schlaepfer. More >>
EDS Responds To RM Reform Announcement
Monday, 24 March 2025, 7:01 pm | EDS
The challenge now is to get the best possible outcome from the split Act model. We will be working closely with the Government over the course of this year to that end. We simply must have a more nuanced outcome from this process than from the Fast-track ... More >>
EDS Addresses Questions On Resource Management Reforms
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 5:06 pm | EDS
The reports are part of EDS’s project on a Durable Resource Management System. The first report outlines the context in which reform is happening, while the second explores questions about the scope of the resource management system. More >>
Infrastructure Summit Should Prioritise Environmental Outcomes
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 4:05 pm | Environmental Defence Society
New Zealanders want high environmental standards to be met. Despite the Government’s efforts to derail good environmental outcomes with the shameful Fast-track Approvals Act. More >>
Conservation Reform Needed But Proposed Changes Need Improvement
Thursday, 27 February 2025, 12:26 pm | Environmental Defence Society
EDS has undertaken extensive law and policy research on the conservation system. We look forward to working with the Government and Minister Potaka to ensure that reform of the conservation management planning system is done well. More >>
Some Good Conservation News
Monday, 17 February 2025, 6:04 pm | EDS
An additional $13 million will be invested in tourism infrastructure, including upgrading huts and resolving the backlog in Milford Sound concessions. More >>
Environmental Groups Clarify Qualities Of Stewardship Land In Meeting With Prime Minister
Sunday, 16 February 2025, 2:14 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Minister of Conservation is expected to complete a review of some 644,000 ha of stewardship land on the West Coast later this year. More >>
Offshore Renewable Energy Bill Submission
Friday, 31 January 2025, 9:55 am | Environmental Defence Society
“Offshore renewables, including offshore wind farms, will be an important piece of the solution when it comes to decarbonising the electricity sector. They can have less environmental impact than onshore projects. If these effects are acceptable, ... More >>
