The latest Energy Quarterly data release from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) shows renewable sources generated 92% of New Zealand's electricity in the June 2026 quarter.

The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowa has begun consulting on two further national environmental performance wastewater standards addressing odour and metals discharged to water.

The Government has introduced a further two amended national direction instruments to add to twelve new and amended instruments approved since December 2025. These instruments continue to deliver the aim of making it easier for councils to plan and deliver infrastructure, and to support growth in the primary sector.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has made a submission on the investigation into planning provisions in the Hamilton City Operative District Plan. The submission focuses solely on the deep soil and canopy cover requirements introduced through Hamilton’s Plan Change 12 (PC 12).

The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Hon Chris Bishop delivered a keynote address at last week’s RMLA conference.

This research brings together evidence on the factors that shape the cost and affordability of infrastructure. It highlights where there is opportunity to influence costs to help us make better choices and get more from our infrastructure investment.

The Government has released the independent Crown Review Team’s final report into the failure of the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and the flooding event of 4 February 2026.

This package contains documents relating to the planning system transformation gateway reports.

The latest version of the Planning & Natural Environment Bills are now on the legislation website.

The Environmental Defence Society has slammed the government’s approach to protecting urban trees under the proposed Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, which will replace the Resource Management Act.

Adrift: What future does the Emissions Trading Scheme have? traces the evolution of the NZ ETS, explores significant risks emerging from its current design, and considers the choices facing decision-makers if the NZ ETS is to more effectively contribute to emissions reduction goals.

EDS says the Government’s first attempt to show how its new resource management system will work in practice has done little to allay their concerns that the reforms will result in worse outcomes for the environment.