Environment News & Articles

Conservation Minister Announces $22 Million Investment for Native Species and Pest Control in National Parks

13 hours ago | 70 views

Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta me Hineahuone, Toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, Toitū te tangata. Significant investment into supporting native species and tackling invasive pests in national parks has been announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Mr Potaka visited the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust facility near Christchurch today, where he announced $22 million from the International Visitor Levy will go to restoring unique wildlife in national parks, islands and other popular visitor sites over the next three years.

Tags: Hineahuone Tangaroa Hinemoana Tama Potaka Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust Canterbury DOC IVL New Zealand

New Flexible Insulation Rules to Cut Costs for Designers, Builders, and Homeowners

1 day ago | 128 views

Overly rigid insulation rules are being removed to ease costs for designers, builders and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. “I’ve heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs. “The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation – known as the Schedule Method – doesn’t allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home’s energy efficiency, like adjusting window size.

Tags: insulation rules designers builders homeowners Chris Penk energy efficiency Building Code Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Far North

Government Invests $56 Million in Rural Canterbury Water Resilience Projects for Increased Productivity and Climate Adaptation

1 day ago | 155 views

The Government is investing more than $56 million into water resilience projects in rural Canterbury to help protect against changing weather patterns and increase productivity through higher value land use, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say. “Ease of access to water is a top priority for Canterbury’s rural communities,” Mr Jones says. “Canterbury has so far avoided the extreme drought experienced in previous years, thanks in part to high rainfall over December and January.

Tags: Shane Jones Mark Patterson Government Water resilience projects Canterbury Rural communities Regional Infrastructure Fund Opuha Dam Balmoral Water Storage Facility Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme

Game-Changing Reservoir Project to Boost Economy and Agriculture in Wairarapa Region

1 week ago | 222 views

A reservoir to be built near Carterton will be a game-changer for the town and wider Wairarapa region, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The 20ha reservoir, which will hold up to 1 million m3, will provide water for industry at Waingawa Industrial Park and irrigation for land. “Water resilience has been identified as a regional priority for Wairarapa.

Tags: Carterton Carterton district council Coalition government Going for growth Regional infrastructure fund Shane jones Waingawa industrial park Wairarapa

Gisborne Community Receives $3.55M Cyclone Gabrielle Relief Grants: Minister Brooke van Velden

2 weeks ago | 233 views

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in the Gisborne region are benefitting from $3. 55 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief. “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on the East Coast, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts.

Tags: Auckland Bay of plenty Brooke van velden Cyclone gabrielle appeal trust East coast Fire and emergency new zealand Gabrielle Gabrielle appeal Gisborne Hawke ’ s bay Northland Pehiri emergency management group Ruatoria volunteer fire brigade St john gisborne area Tahunga residents association incorporated Tararua Waikato

Backing biodiversity protection for Kaimai Mamaku

2 weeks ago | 227 views

A $750,000 investment into Iwi and community led biodiversity protection at Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park will benefit the environment and sustainable tourism, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “We’re backing much-needed protection for one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most unique conservation parks and southern-most kauri habitats through work to eradicate destructive wild goats, contributing to a healthier and scenic visitor experience near Tauranga,” Mr Potaka says. “Browsing animals, like wild goats affect forest regeneration significantly, and are considered a potential spreader of kauri dieback through soil they carry.

Tags: Aotearoa new Aotearoa new zealand Auckland International visitor levy Kaimai mamaku conservation park Kaimai mamaku restoration project Karangahake gorge Rotorua Tama potaka Tauranga Zealand

Expanding biodiversity markets in NZ - Speech to the NZ Farm Environment Trust alumni

2 weeks ago | 173 views

It’s my pleasure to be here today amongst some of the strongest guardians of our native biodiversity in the country. Wouldn’t we rather have more carrot than stick if we work for nature on our land? That’s what my announcement about expanding a voluntary nature credits market in New Zealand was about last week at Fieldays.

Tags: Fieldays New zealand Zealand

National Volunteer Week celebrates millions of volunteers

2 weeks ago | 146 views

National Volunteer Week kicks off today and is the biggest celebration of volunteering in New Zealand, says Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Louise Upston. “This week is an opportunity to thank the millions of volunteers who make a difference to our communities every day,” Ms Upston says. Over 53% of adult New Zealanders volunteer, either for organisations or directly helping others, and 89% of community organisations are volunteer run.

Tags: Community and voluntary sector Louise upston National volunteer week New zealand