Hamilton City Council has been highly commended in The GHD Award for Environmental Leadership category for its Stormwater Master Plan Webviewer.
Category: environment
Updating protections for indigenous biodiversity
The Ministry for the Environment has just released an exposure draft of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity. It is a key plank of the Government’s response to biodiversity decline and aims to protect, maintain, and restore our indigenous biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Major IPPC report on climate change impacts and adaptation released
With so many crises occupying the limelight you may have missed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) anticipated release of the second part of its Sixth Assessment Report. It includes a chapter dedicated specifically to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and focuses on preparing ourselves for the future.
Latest New Zealand Garden Bird Survey results
This latest annual survey from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research into birds in Aotearoa New Zealand paints a rosy picture for most regions. This is in no small part down to the considerable range of conservation work councils perform across the motu. The results include detailed regional breakdowns of which native and exotic species are increasing and which ones are decreasing.
Boosting local voice and accountability in the new resource management system
The Local Government Resource Management Reform Steering Group is currently consulting on how to better enable local democratic input and accountability in the future resource management system. Feedback should be provided by 15 March 2022. Taituarā invites you to join us online for an opportunity to ask the Steering Group members any questions you have on 24 February 2022.
Changes to freedom camping on the way
Change is on the horizon for rules in relation to freedom camping in vehicles on land managed by local authorities.
Doing our bit to reduce global warming
As the planet continues to warm, extreme weather events and a changing climate are increasingly threatening lives and livelihoods. International cooperation through COP26 aims to address this, and this is being translated into action here in Aotearoa New Zealand through a newly announced emissions reduction target as well as the currently open public consultation on how to achieve this.
Waste strategy: moving towards a circular economy
The Ministry for the Environment is now consulting on Te kawe i te haepapa para / Taking responsibility for our waste. It contains proposals for a new waste strategy and issues and options for new waste legislation. Taituarā is currently preparing a submission on this proposed legislation.
Consultation on Emissions Reduction Plan
The Ministry for the Environment has launched a consultation titled ‘Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future’ to hear New Zealanders’ views on what should be included in the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan. The scope of this proposed Plan is enormous – we can expect its implementation to have profound effects on the way Kiwis live, work, and get around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Supporting sustainable freedom camping consultation
Councils across the country have been under pressure to deal with the burgeoning numbers of freedom campers over the past few years. The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is proposing new regulations with particular emphasis to onboard toilet facilities, and where non-certified self-contained vehicles may camp. Taituarā encourages councils to read the proposed changes and submit on this proposal which will affect council employees and the communities they serve.