NZ’s Future RM System: Criteria for Reform Workshop Series

Monday, 1 April 2019, 4:17 pm
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

Over the course of 2019 the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) will be continuing its large-scale review of New Zealand's resource management system. This review has been split into two phases. Phase 1, which provided in depth analysis of the system and presented three possible models for reform, was completed at the end of 2018. A final report was launched by the Minister for the Environment, Hon David Parker, in February 2019. Phase 2, which is occurring over 2019, is about developing a preferred model from the choices presented in Phase 1.

More information on Phase 2 of the project can be found in the summary document attached. The final report of Phase 1 can be found on the EDS website here, and hard copies are also available for order from our website.

Many people and organisations are coming to the view that New Zealand's resource management system is not performing as well as it could or should. Both developers and environmental advocates increasingly feel that change is needed. The system, centred on the Resource Management Act but comprised of many different statutes, instruments and actors, may have been fit for purpose in the early 1990s. But that conclusion rings less true in 2019 and beyond, given the multiplicity of environmental and socio-economic issues our country is facing now and will face over the coming decades. The first step in selecting a fit for purpose system for the future must be to consider the criteria that are to guide our reform choices.

This email is to invite you to our first workshop for 2019. Spaces will be limited, and will be allocated on a first in first served basis. At the workshop we will provide an overview of our work to date, and then focus on identifying suitable criteria for reform. Those criteria will be used in the next stage of the work to select and develop in detail a preferred model for a future system.

We will be holding the workshop in three locations:

Auckland
Monday 8 April 2019, 9.30am - 12.00pm
Venue: EMA Northern, 145 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland
Register for the Auckland seminar

Wellington
Tuesday 9 April 2019, 9.30am - 12.00pm
Venue: Chapman Tripp, Level 17, 10 Customhouse Quay, Wellington
Register for the Wellington seminar

Dunedin
Wednesday 10 April 2019, 9.30am - 12.00pm
University of Otago, Centre for Sustainability, Toroa Room, 563 Castle Street, Dunedin
Register for the Dunedin seminar

Please register via Eventbrite using the links above. We will send a more detailed agenda and background paper closer to the time.

There is a high degree of interest in the project from across the political spectrum, business, and civil society. The launch of Phase 1 included a number of high profile guests such as Hon Eugenie Sage (Minister of Conservation), Hon Scott Simpson (National Party spokesperson for the Environment), Judge Laurie Newhook (Principal Environment Court Judge), Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer QC and Rt Hon Simon Upton (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment). The Ministry for the Environment will be progressing its own first principles review of the system from mid-2019, and this will be informed by, and proceed in collaboration with, the EDS project.

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Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.

Contact Environmental Defence Society

• Website - www.eds.org.nz
• Email - manager@eds.org.nz
• Phone - + 64 9 302 2972
• Link - EDS National Conference
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