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Environment Minister Nick Smith today approved the joint application from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) and the Department of Conservation (DoC) to amend the Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) Water Conservation Order (WCO) to recognise additional outstanding values.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today welcomed the decision to grant consents for Contact Energy’s $1 billion Tauhara II 250 MW geothermal power station in Taupo – the first project processed under the national consenting process of the reformed Resource Management Act.

“This is the first time in 20 years a major project has been consented in eight months. The average time prior to these reforms was two years with some projects taking as long as eight years.” Dr Smith said.

The withdrawal of the application for a water conservation order on the Hurunui River by applicants Fish and Game and Whitewater New Zealand is a positive signal of a more collaborative approach to water management in North Canterbury, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Minister for the Environment Nick Smith today released a report that shows dioxin levels in the soil surrounding the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site in Mapua are lower than nationally and internationally recommended levels.

“This report should provide the local community with reassurance that the soils around the site have not been contaminated and are fit for purpose,” Dr Smith said.

New data suggests New Zealand could be getting better economic value out of its freshwater, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Dr Smith today released the findings of a Ministry for the Environment report on freshwater allocation consents at the Hawke’s Bay Water Symposium. The Water Allocation Data 2009-10 report finds most regions use less than 50% of the water allowed to be taken under resource consent. Southland (74%) and Canterbury (57%) have the highest percentages of actual use.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced in Dunedin a new initiative to recycle used antifreeze thanks to a Government grant of $180,000 from the Waste Minimisation Fund.

“This recycling initiative is about preventing used antifreeze ending up in our water ways causing environmental harm as well as sensible recycling so as to save natural resources,” Dr Smith said.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today welcomed the unanimous support of Parliament for the first reading of the Environmental Protection Authority Bill.

"New Zealand needs an effective Environmental Protection Authority to strengthen and improve our environmental management," Dr Smith said. "This reform is about providing stronger central Government direction on environmental regulation, better efficiency and cost effectiveness and improving the integrity of systems by delegating administration of regulatory functions to an independent Crown entity.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced his approval for Environment Canterbury Commissioners to place a moratorium on new water takes from the Waiau River and its tributaries. 

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced that he has directed a proposal from the Minister of Corrections' for the building of a men's prison at Wiri to an independent board of inquiry.

New Zealand needs an effective Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to provide efficient national level regulation of environmental issues, Environment Minister Nick Smith said today in introdu

New Zealand needs to improve its freshwater management to ensure our lakes measure up to our clean, green reputation, Environment Minister Nick Smith said today in releasing the Status and Trends 2

New regulations that take effect today requiring significant water takes to be metered are essential for New Zealand to better manage freshwater, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

The Auckland Council's first Auckland spatial plan will help to ensure that New Zealand has a city which can provide a key link to the global economy, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Envi

Minister for the Environment Nick Smith today announced grants for three recycling projects from Waikato, Raglan and Kaitaia at the Community Recycling Network Hui in Wellington.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the five Crown appointees to the Waikato River Authority to enable it to take up its statutory functions with Waikato River iwi representatives from

Environment and ACC Minister Nick Smith is encouraging people to behave responsibly while enjoying Guy Fawkes this week.

Community groups will now be able to access funding to kick start their environmental projects thanks to the Government's Community Environment Fund, Environment Minister Nick Smith announced last

Regulations come into force today that reverse a Labour Government decision to require hundreds of household products like washing powders and household cleaners be sold in child-resistant plastic

Management of waterways and native flora and fauna near farm land will be improved as a result of a funding boost for the New Zealand Landcare Trust, Environment Minister Nick Smith announced today

Environment Minister Nick Smith today launched the New Zealand Waste Strategy at the WasteMINZ Conference in Auckland, giving a strong emphasis on reducing the harmful effects of waste and improvin

Environment Minister Nick Smith today launched a $2 million programme to install hundreds of public recycling bins around New Zealand in preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand needs to revamp its urban and infrastructure planning systems to make our cities better places to live, work and visit, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced $1.15 million in grants from the Waste Minimisation Fund for eDay 2010 and new e-waste processing facilities.

A comprehensive report by the Land and Water Forum on the management of freshwater in New Zealand has been welcomed today by Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter.&n