Category: Environment
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Oil drilling in Maui’s Dolphin’s habitat
Recent events have shown an unfortunate variation in the way that the Government handles issues concerning wildlife. During this month it has expressed willingness to house a couple of pandas at great cost while at the same time it has shown disregard for the future of Maui’s Dolphin by again offering Auckland’s west coast up…
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Genetically modified trees may be coming to a forest near you
It appears that the Government is moving to stop local communities through their district plans from trying to prevent the introduction of genetically modified trees. It is currently consulting on a national environmental standard (“NES”) for Plantation Forestry. A NES is a centrally prescribed standard set by regulation which can override the provisions of a district…
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How do you save an ancient Kauri in Titirangi?
The Paturoa Kauri and Rimu are safe for now. But the question is how can they and their fellow notable trees be protected? Auckland Council has taken the position that the decisions stand and representatives have said on different occasions it has no power to review the decision. While this is true Council does have the power to…
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Oil rigs – coming to a beach near you?
By Greg Presland The Government has recently engaged in consultation with Auckland Council about the granting of oil exploration permits in the area west of Auckland’s west coast beaches. But the Waitakere Ranges Local Board was not included in this consultation and you have to wonder about the advisability of drilling oil wells in an…
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By Greg Presland The Local Government and Environment Committee has heard submissions on the Resource Management Reform Bill and has reported the Bill back to Parliament. Regrettably the blanket removal of tree protection is maintained and if enacted the blanket protection of trees in Titirangi and Laingholm will be no more. I blogged previously about the Resource Management Reform…