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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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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