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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]
An Open Letter To Leaders: Three Key Asks For Nature And Climate
Thursday, 1 October 2026, 12:12 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Meaningful public participation, access to the Environment Court and independent scrutiny need to be restored. We get better environmental decisions when local communities, iwi and people with knowledge of the affected area can engage meaningfully. More >>
Resource Management Bills Pass Third Reading And Will Become Very Bad Law
Wednesday, 23 September 2026, 11:22 am | Environmental Defence Society
“As we have said from the outset, these Bills are deeply deficient for the environment as well as being excessively complex,” said EDS Reform Director Dr Greg Severinsen. More >>
Tarakihi Decision Puts Industry Ahead Of National Interest
Tuesday, 22 September 2026, 4:34 pm | Environmental Defence Society
EDS sought a total closure, until the stocks recover. Seafood New Zealand and other commercial fishing interests sought a 20% reduction. The Minister has adopted the industry’s proposal of 20%. More >>
EDS Receives Prestigious RMLA Award For Work On Resource Management Reform
Monday, 14 September 2026, 1:54 pm | Environmental Defence Society
“It’s a real honour to receive this recognition,” said Dr Severinsen. “EDS has been heavily involved in replacing the RMA for over a decade, and in many ways this publication is the culmination of that work. More >>
Political Highlights From The Climate Change And Business Conference
Friday, 11 September 2026, 11:47 am | Environmental Defence Society
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts emphasised the need for stability in the ETS, technology-led agricultural methane reductions and continued electrification. He defended the proposed LNG facility as insurance against dry-year electricity shortages. More >>
Mackenzie Country Solar Farm Should Have Been Declined, Says EDS
Friday, 4 September 2026, 7:04 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Haldon fast-track Panel imposed conditions requiring a Technical Review Panel to determine, in ten years’ time, whether specified ‘no net loss’ ecological outcomes have been achieved. More >>
Last Minute Amendment Papers Take Us Even Further Towards Environmental Destruction
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 6:01 pm | Environmental Defence Society
These Bills shouldn’t pass. If they do, they will require heavy amendment if there is a change of government – possibly even repeal and replacement, says EDS Reform Director Dr Greg Severinsen. More >>
Environmental Reporting Must Lead To Action, Says EDS
Thursday, 20 August 2026, 11:47 am | Environmental Defence Society
The Bill contains some genuinely useful improvements, but there are a few missing requirements, says EDS Reform Director Dr Greg Severinsen. More >>
How Regulatory Relief Could Play Out In Auckland – And It’s A Bureaucratic And Litigious Hot Mess
Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 11:47 am | EDS
“Essentially, it is creating an entirely new property right to destroy biodiversity, because it makes councils either compensate landowners for protections or remove the protection entirely." More >>
Webinar On Tomorrrow: Regulatory Relief On The Ground
Monday, 3 August 2026, 11:30 am | Environmental Defence Society
Join EDS Reform Director Dr Greg Severinsen to hear how this framework for regulatory relief might play out on the ground. More >>
EDS Calls For Closure Of Tarakihi Fishery To Allow Stocks To Recover
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 12:57 pm | EDS
"We don’t support any of Fisheries New Zealand's proposed catch reduction options because they don’t go far enough. Even the most conservative option would still allow 1,115 tonnes of tarakihi to be harvested each year." More >>
Select Committee Reports Back On RMA Replacement Bills – And It’s Shocking
Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 7:09 am | Environmental Defence Society
Vast tracts of legitimate environmental protections will need to be erased. Going through the process will itself cost millions, take years, and involve armies of bureaucrats and lawyers at council, Planning Tribunal and Environment Court levels. More >>
Climate Adaptation Without Funding Is Planning Without Delivery
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 4:49 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Many communities are at risk from extreme weather events and we need to be better prepared. More >>
Conservation Bill Still Needs Major Changes Despite Government Retreat, Says EDS
Monday, 13 July 2026, 3:20 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Bill contains many worthwhile reforms that modernise an outdated conservation management system and improve the way the Department of Conservation manages public conservation land. More >>
Tarakihi On Verge Of Extinction: Stock Collapse Exposes Major Fisheries Management Failings
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 1:33 pm | Environmental Defence Society
“Submissions on the Fisheries NZ tarakihi proposals close on 24 July 2026. We encourage all New Zealanders to have their say on the future of this treasured species,” EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart said. More >>
Environmental Defence Society Welcomes Conservation Amendment Bill Changes
Sunday, 28 June 2026, 2:56 pm | Environmental Defence Society
EDS will be making a substantive submission on the Bill by the closing date, which we understand may be extended by a week or two. This Bill is not scheduled for enactment until the next term of Parliament. More >>
Fisheries Bill Delay A Chance To Reset Fisheries Reform
Friday, 19 June 2026, 9:44 am | EDS
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has confirmed the Bill will not be reported back from Select Committee before voters head to the polls in November. More >>
Time To Give Hauraki Gulf Shellfish A Break: EDS Backs Tighter Harvesting Controls
Thursday, 11 June 2026, 4:02 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Auckland’s large and rapidly increasing population has meant that pressure on our inshore shellfish species has long been unsustainable. More >>
REMINDER: EDS Webinar: Vanishing Nature Revisited: Tuesday 16 June @ Midday
Wednesday, 10 June 2026, 11:29 am | EDS
Ten years on, this webinar reflects on the findings of Vanishing Nature and its recommendations, progress towards them and where much more effort is still needed. More >>
EDS 2026 Conference Session Spotlight: Institutions In The New System
Monday, 8 June 2026, 5:20 pm | Environmental Defence Society
This session at the EDS conference later this month will explore how institutional settings could best support a new system for managing and protecting our natural environment. More >>
