News & insights
Here you will find media releases, parliamentary newsletters, speeches, presentations, and other material relating to the Commissioner's work.
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13 July 2022
Simon Upton reappointed as Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
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03 March 2022
Media release – Knowing what's out there: Regulating the environmental fate of chemicals
The Commissioner is proposing changes to the way New Zealand manages chemicals to make sure their environmental impacts are not overlooked.
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14 December 2021
Media release – Wellbeing budgets and the environment: A promised land?
The Commissioner is questioning whether the Government’s budget process really takes into account the complexities and long-term nature of many environmental problems.
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11 November 2021
Media release – Turning back a silent invasion
The Commissioner is calling for the Government to lift its game in protecting native ecosystems from the thousands of exotic plants spreading throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
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02 September 2021
Oral presentation to the Environment Committee on the Natural and Built Environments Bill
On 2 September 2021 the Commissioner made an oral presentation to the Environment Committee about the Natural and Built Environments Bill parliamentary paper.
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17 August 2021
Address at the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management One-Day Forum
On 17 August 2021, the Commissioner gave an address at the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management One-Day Forum in Hamilton.
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11 August 2021
Media release – Findings of Overseer water quality model review ‘devastating’
The Commissioner has expressed relief that two and half years after he requested a review of Overseer, its results have finally become public. He says that the findings of the Science Advisory Panel are “devastating”. Read the Q+A about what else the Commissioner thinks of the review findings and government response.
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21 May 2021
Media release – Funding to plug environmental data gaps
The Commissioner welcomes the Budget 2021 initiative to upgrade our environmental monitoring and reporting system.
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26 March 2021
Address at the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association Conference 2021
On 25 March 2021, the Commissioner gave an address at the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association Conference 2021 at Te Papa in Wellington.
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18 March 2021
Address at the Otago Tourism Policy School annual forum
On 18 March 2021, the Commissioner gave an address at the Otago Tourism Policy School forum at Heritage Hotel in Queenstown.
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18 February 2021
Media release: Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism
The Commissioner is urging the Government to take advantage of the pause in international tourism to transform the sector to one with a substantially smaller environmental footprint.
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09 December 2020
Media release – A review of the funding and prioritisation of environmental research in New Zealand
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11 August 2020
Media release – Managing our estuaries
The Commissioner is calling for an approach to managing estuaries that treats estuaries and the waterways that feed into them as a single entity from the mountains to the sea.
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11 August 2020
Animation – Estuaries: Waste traps or taonga?
Watch this animation to learn about how if we manage our estuaries ki uta ki tai – from the mountains to the sea – our estuarine habitats will thrive for years to come.
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03 July 2020
Tribute to Dr Edward Hearnshaw
For two years from July 2018 to June 2020, Dr Ed Hearnshaw was a much-loved friend and colleague. His untimely death was a huge loss for all staff – both personally and professionally.
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21 April 2020
How we think about 'after'
There is no doubt that it is easier in times of crisis to sweep away institutions and rules than in normal times. This can cut both ways for the environment.
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18 December 2019
Media release – Pristine, popular... imperilled?
Environment Commissioner Simon Upton warns that increasing numbers of tourists – both domestic and international – are putting our environment under pressure and eroding the very attributes that make New Zealand such an attractive country to visit.
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15 November 2019
There are no costless ways forward on carbon
Support for the Zero Carbon Bill shows our action on climate will have to disrupt the status quo, writes Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton. That will mean new opportunities – and costs.
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07 November 2019
Media release – ‘Huge’ data gaps undermine environmental stewardship
Environment Commissioner Simon Upton says ‘huge’ gaps in data and knowledge undermine our stewardship of the environment and is calling for concerted action to improve the system.
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30 July 2019
Animation – Farms, forests and fossil fuels: A policy perspective
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29 May 2019
Address at the EMANZ/TSS Conference
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01 May 2019
Address at the 2019 Wind Energy Conference
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26 March 2019
Media release – Climate policy needs a landscape approach
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13 November 2018
Keynote address at the 2018 New Zealand River Awards
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29 November 2018
Address at the 6th OECD World Forum
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06 December 2018
Address at the New Zealand Society of Soil Science conference
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12 December 2018
Media release – Transparent Overseer needed to regulate water quality
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14 September 2018
Address to the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science Inc. Forum
The Commissioner's address to the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science Inc. Forum
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30 August 2018
Media release: Commissioner releases research on the contribution of New Zealand’s livestock methane to global warming
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02 August 2018
Address to the 2018 Environmental Defence Society Conference
The Commissioner's address to the 2018 Environmental Defence Society Conference.
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12 July 2018
Media release: Environment Commissioner questions merit of biodegradable plastics
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton has urged the Government to take a lead in in dealing with the confusion surrounding biodegradable and compostable plastics.
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03 May 2018
Newsletter to Parliament - May 2018
The Commissioner's quarterly update to members of Parliament
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26 April 2018
Public lecture: A Zero Carbon Act for New Zealand
In this public lecture, hosted by the School of Government at Victoria University, the Commissioner discusses his recent report 'A Zero Carbon Act for new Zealand'.
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07 March 2018
Media release: Zero Carbon Act is the right choice for New Zealand, says Environment Commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, has today added his support for a UK-style independent Climate Commission to that of his predecessor, Dr Jan Wright.
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09 November 2017
Address to the 2017 Science New Zealand Conference
The Commissioner's address to the 2017 Science New Zealand Conference.
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27 July 2017
Media release: Time to take a historic step for climate change, says Environment Commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, has issued a rallying call to MPs of all parties: it’s time to come together to tackle climate change.
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13 June 2017
Newsletter to Parliament - June 2017
I recently released a report titled Taonga of an island nation: Saving New Zealand’s native birds.
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31 May 2017
Media release: Native birds in desperate situation, says Environment Commissioner
In a new report, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says New Zealand’s native birds are in a desperate situation.
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20 December 2016
Newsletter to Parliament - December 2016
The festive season is upon us again, and I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on what has been a busy year in my office.
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19 October 2016
Media release: We need to work together on climate change and farming, says Environment Commissioner
New Zealanders must work together and start tackling the complex problem of the biological greenhouse gases from agriculture, says Dr Jan Wright, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
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08 September 2016
Media release: Environment Commissioner congratulates Minister on strong decision for longfin eels
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has congratulated the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy, on his decision to make big reductions in the catch limits for longfin eels in the South Island.
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29 June 2016
Media release: Commissioner releases mixed report card on environment
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31 May 2016
Media release: Environment Commissioner welcomes step toward saving longfin eels
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has welcomed a decision by the Government to remove a barrier to saving the country’s top freshwater predator, but warns that more is needed to ensure its long-term survival.
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19 May 2016
Newsletter to Parliament - May 2016
It has been a busy start to the year for my office as no doubt it has been for you. We have been gainfully employed responding to various environmental policy proposals and Bills.
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10 May 2016
Media release: Commissioner supports streamlined pest control regulations
In a letter to the Minster for the Environment, the Commissioner has outlined her support for a recent proposal to streamline the regulatory regime for pest control.
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28 April 2016
Media release: Environment Commissioner calls for bold leadership on climate change
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has called for bold leadership on climate change
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20 April 2016
Media release: Protect our most precious and vulnerable waterways first, says Environment Commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has welcomed the Government’s latest discussion document on water quality, but has called for councils to give priority to the most precious and vulnerable rivers and lakes.
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22 March 2016
Media release: Electric cars not solar panels, says Environment Commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has today called for people to take heed of a report showing that electric cars help combat climate change, but solar panels do little.
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14 March 2016
Media release: Take care amending the RMA, warns Environment Commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment acknowledges the concern about housing that lies behind many of the proposed changes to the RMA. But she warns that some go too far.
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11 March 2016
Media release: Let’s not waste another chance to protect our oceans, says Environment Commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment today urged New Zealanders not to squander another chance to protect New Zealand’s oceans.
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18 February 2016
Media release: Keep eyes on our climate goal, says Environment Commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has today supported moves to strengthen New Zealand’s climate rules, but has highlighted the need to focus on the end goal.
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12 February 2016
Newsletter to Parliament - February 2016
A Happy New Year to you all. I look forward to engaging with many of you this year, particularly those of you newly appointed to environmental portfolios.
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09 February 2016
Media release: Commissioner supports proposal to separate South Island eel stocks
In a letter to the Ministry for Primary Industries, Dr Wright has outlined her support for a proposal to separate South Island eel stocks.
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