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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 3]
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 >>
EDS Submissions Highlight Serious Concerns Over Government's Resource Management Changes
Friday, 25 July 2025, 2:42 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The proposals, which are spread across three packages of Infrastructure and Development, Primary Sector and Freshwater, present an overwhelming shift towards prioritising use and development at the expense of the natural environment. More >>
Another Offensive Launched In The Government’s War On Nature
Wednesday, 23 July 2025, 1:04 pm | Environmental Defence Society
Legislation will prohibit the notification of any new changes to regional policy statements and regional and district plans. It will also prevent notified plan changes from going ahead if they have not yet had a hearing. More >>
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 >>
