Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment.

The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation.

The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount of waste and rubbish the cyclone left in its wake.

The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs).

Environment Minister David Parker has welcomed the faster, cheaper and better resource management system ushered in with the third reading of the Spatial Planning and Natural and Built Environment Bills today.

Nine fast-tracked solar power projects could generate two and half times the output of Clyde Dam, with nearly two million solar panels so far referred for consent.

The Government is accelerating New Zealand’s switch to clean renewable energy by fast-track referral of three wind farm projects for approval by consenting panels.

The Government is backing a comprehensive package of action around land use in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and Wairoa.

The Government is launching a suite of measures to protect native wildlife and at-risk habitats, to help halt the decline of nature due to human activity.

Projects tackling food waste are getting a big boost from the Government.

Environment Minister David Parker today welcomed the Environment Select Committee’s report into the new resource management reform laws.

The Government is seeking feedback on changes to regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that will foster research and improve health outcomes.

Communities hit by severe weather events would be allowed to establish temporary accommodation and additional waste disposal under two proposed interim law changes.

Today’s decision by iwi organisations to oppose the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary proposal is very disappointing, Environment Minister David Parker says.

Freshwater farm plans to help farmers improve local waterways will be progressively phased in across the country.

A proposed temporary law change would enable rural Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti landowners dealing with masses of cyclone and flood debris to burn mixed waste so they can replant and return their land to productivity.

Repairing a Hawke’s Bay organic composting facility devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle is among the latest waste reduction projects getting Government backing.

Stuart Muir, Susan O’Regan and Shadrach Rolleston have been appointed as new Crown members of the Waikato River Authority, Environment Minister David Parker announced today.

The report of the Ministerial Inquiry into woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and Wairoa has today been presented to the two lead ministers.

Environment Minister David Parker has asked Parliament’s Environment Select Committee to conduct an inquiry into seabed mining.

A 12-day extension has been approved to the 30 April deadline for the Ministerial Inquiry into woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and Wairoa.