The three-year suspension of identification of new significant natural areas (SNAs) has passed its third reading.

The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 24 October and came into force the following day.

After previous public announcements, the Government has now published a cabinet paper outlining the goals and principles for replacing the RMA.

A new report, published by EECA (Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority), outlines recommendations to help Taranaki industry use less energy and move off fossil fuels – future proofing the region and setting it up for a low-carbon economy.

The Government has started consultation on a 50 per cent reduction to the annual charge for forest owners participating in the Forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry.

More than 600,000 tonnes of carbon were lost to the atmosphere in recent fires at two of New Zealand’s most important wetlands, highlighting the importance of keeping wetlands wet.

The Government has released its response to He Pou a Rangi - Climate Change Commission’s first annual monitoring report on emissions reductions.

The Commissioner for the Environment has written to the Treasury to welcome changes to the public sector discount rates used in cost benefit analysis.

The Government is to add an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill which will restrict councils’ ability to notify freshwater plans.

The Government has released the independent Advisory Group’s report on the 384 projects which applied to be listed in the Fast-track Approvals Bill, and further detail about the careful management of Ministers’ conflicts of interest.

The Government has announced the establishment of a Forestry Sector Reference Group to drive better outcomes from the Forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry.

Cabinet recently agreed to pass the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill into law, with amendments.