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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 2]
Stewardship Land Reclassification Leaves High-Value Ecological Areas Without Top-Tier Protection
Thursday, 11 December 2025, 1:20 pm | Environmental Defence Society
“To get an outcome is a significant step and it’s a credit to Minister Potaka that he has got this over the line in what is a challenging coalition government,” says Shay Schlaepfer EDS COO. More >>
Government Backs Down On Fast-Track Amendments
Wednesday, 10 December 2025, 3:20 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Our submission to the Select Committee clearly showed that Panels were exercising their discretion to invite comments judiciously, says Shay Schlaepfer, EDS Chief Operating Officer. More >>
RMA Replacement Bills Introduced – Fixes Are Needed
Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 1:55 pm | Environmental Defence Society
There are two Bills – a Natural Environment Bill and a Planning Bill – a split which marks an abrupt end to more than three decades of integrated environmental management under the RMA. More >>
Concern Over Local Government Reform Proposals
Wednesday, 26 November 2025, 8:12 am | Environmental Defence Society
Local government reform is needed. But shaking up regional governance while resource management reform is rolling out does create uncertainty and confusion about who does what in the new system. More >>
Please Submit On The Fast Track Approvals Amendment Bill
Wednesday, 12 November 2025, 8:18 am | Environmental Defence Society
This Bill is being rushed through with only a week for submissions. Please send in a submission and stand up for nature. The deadline is 17 Nov. More >>
EDS Releases Scathing Submission On Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill
Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 11:48 am | Environmental Defence Society
The Bill’s real effect is to give the Minister more influence in fast-track decisions, to gut environmental and public scrutiny and to impose unrealistic deadlines. More >>
EDS Warns Fast-Track Cost Recovery Regime Sidelines Environmental Input
Sunday, 9 November 2025, 4:51 pm | Environmental Defence Society
EDS urges the Government to extend cost-recovery rights to statutory conservation bodies and to confirm the role of councils in providing comments on individual applications. More >>
Fast-Track Amendment Bill Further Undermines Environment And Democracy
Tuesday, 4 November 2025, 2:46 pm | Environmental Defence Society
“And it gets worse. The Bill proposes to limit appeal rights to those that a panel must invite comments from." More >>
EDS’s Advocacy Lands Marine Protection As Decision Made To Ban Bottom Contact Fishing Methods
Friday, 10 October 2025, 10:45 am | EDS
Regional councils have a clear responsibility under the Resource Management Act to control the effects of these fishing activities on the environment to maintain indigenous biodiversity. More >>
Webinar: Pathway To Oceans Reform
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 11:34 am | EDS
The webinar will be presented by the report’s author EDS Policy Director, Raewyn Peart. More >>
EDS Welcomes Passage Of Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill
Tuesday, 7 October 2025, 5:46 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The legislation will increase areas of high protection in the Gulf from just 0.3% to approximately 6%, establish new seafloor protection areas and expand existing marine reserves. More >>
Bay Of Islands Treasures Under Threat – New EDS Case Study Points Towards Practical Solutions
Monday, 22 September 2025, 4:15 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The Bay of Islands could once again have healthy and productive marine ecosystems if hapū and the community come together to take decisive action now. More >>
EDS Urges Urgent Action As New Report Highlights Extent Of Coastal Ecosystem Collapse
Friday, 19 September 2025, 2:39 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Kelp forests increase fish growth rates and the resilience of stocks. This is becoming increasingly important with rapid seawater warming and climate-induced marine heatwaves, said EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart. More >>
EDS Launches Blueprint For Durable Oceans Reform
Wednesday, 17 September 2025, 2:42 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The report proposes the establishment of a Marine Restoration Fund which could be part-funded by charges on marine users, many of which do not currently pay towards marine management. More >>
EDS Launches Major New Report On Risks And Solutions In Replacing The Resource Management Act
Monday, 1 September 2025, 5:12 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The report draws on international lessons from Ireland, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Australia, and provides detailed recommendations for how New Zealand can design a system that both protects nature and enables development in the right places. More >>
EDS Launches Major New Report On Risks And Solutions In Replacing The Resource Management Act
Monday, 1 September 2025, 8:24 am | Environmental Defence Society
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the Government’s blueprint to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) with two new statutes and explores the risks and opportunities these proposals present. More >>
EDS Delighted Hauraki Gulf Bill Passes Final Substantive Hurdle
Thursday, 21 August 2025, 4:35 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The protection will release a significant amount of philanthropic funding to actively restore lost kelp forests within the high protection areas. More >>
EDS Events: RM Reform Report - Launches In Auckland & Wellington
Tuesday, 19 August 2025, 5:24 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The report, authored by Dr Greg Severinsen and informed by international comparators, critiques seven key shifts envisaged for a future system, and offers workable solutions. More >>
Blue Cod Measure Highlights Need For Marlborough Sounds Fisheries Plan
Wednesday, 13 August 2025, 5:00 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The closed season extension should reduce direct targeting of blue cod over the Christmas holiday period. However, fishing for other species will still be allowed, and it is concerning that the bag limit of 20 fish per day has not been reduced given this ... More >>
New Resource Management Bill An Unprecedented Power Grab By Ministers
Tuesday, 12 August 2025, 3:09 pm | Environmental Defence Society
“The proposed ability to override local democracy by the Minister is free from constraints, such as meaningful criteria, and is heavily biased towards development imperatives." More >>
