Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism

The Commissioner is urging the Government to take advantage of the pause in international tourism.

A review of environmental research funding in New Zealand

The Commissioner recommends the Government reconsider the way it funds and prioritises environmental research in New Zealand.

Salmon Lecture 2020 – RMA Reform: coming full circle

On 12 October 2020, the Commissioner gave the RMLA Salmon Lecture 2020 commenting on the current debate around the future of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Managing our estuaries

The Commissioner is calling for an approach to managing estuaries that treats estuaries and the waterways that feed them as a single entity from the mountains to the sea, ki uta ki tai.

Restricting the production of fossil fuels in Aotearoa New Zealand

A note on the ban on new petroleum permits outside onshore Taranaki

Pristine, popular... imperilled?

The Commissioner warns that increasing numbers of tourists – both domestic and international – are putting our environment under pressure.

New Zealand’s environmental reporting system

The Commissioner has released a detailed review review of how well Aotearoa New Zealand reports on the state of its environment.

Climate policy needs a landscape approach

The Commissioner's report explores a different approach to framing New Zealand’s long-term climate change targets and policies, and what that could mean for our landscapes.

Overseer and regulation of water quality

The Commissioner has released a report into Overseer’s use in regulation to help maintain and improve water quality.

Biodegradable plastics

The Commissioner has conducted an enquiry into the nature of claims being made around biodegradable and compostable plastics in the environment.

Our role

The current Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is Mr Simon Upton. As an independent Officer of Parliament, he has broad powers to investigate environmental concerns and is wholly independent of the government of the day.

A Zero Carbon Act for New Zealand

In this video, Mr Upton discusses his first report as Commissioner, in which he gives detailed advice to Parliament on plans for a Zero Carbon Act and an independent Climate Commission.

View the report

Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism

A review of environmental research funding in New Zealand

Salmon Lecture 2020 – RMA Reform: coming full circle

Managing our estuaries

Restricting the production of fossil fuels in Aotearoa New Zealand

Pristine, popular... imperilled?

New Zealand’s environmental reporting system

Climate policy needs a landscape approach

Overseer and regulation of water quality

Biodegradable plastics

Our role

News &
Insights

Media release: Funding to plug environmental data gaps

Address at the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association Conference 2021

Address at the Otago Tourism Policy School annual forum

Media release: Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism

Media release: A review of the funding and prioritisation of environmental research in New Zealand

A Zero Carbon Act for New Zealand

About the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

Simon Upton

The Commissioner

The office

Functions and powers

What we do

Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism

A review of environmental research funding in New Zealand

Salmon Lecture 2020 – RMA Reform: coming full circle

Managing our estuaries

Restricting the production of fossil fuels in Aotearoa New Zealand

Pristine, popular... imperilled?

New Zealand’s environmental reporting system

Climate policy needs a landscape approach

Overseer and regulation of water quality

Biodegradable plastics

Our role

News & Insights

Media release: Funding to plug environmental data gaps

Address at the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association Conference 2021

Address at the Otago Tourism Policy School annual forum

Media release: Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism

Media release: A review of the funding and prioritisation of environmental research in New Zealand

A Zero Carbon Act for New Zealand

About the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

Simon Upton

The Commissioner

The office

Functions and powers

What we do

News &
Insights