Here you will find media releases, parliamentary newsletters, speeches, presentations, and other material relating to the Commissioner's work.
18 February 2021
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
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11 August 2020
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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29 May 2019
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01 May 2019
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26 March 2019
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13 November 2018
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29 November 2018
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06 December 2018
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12 December 2018
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14 September 2018
The Commissioner's address to the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science Inc. Forum
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30 August 2018
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02 August 2018
The Commissioner's address to the 2018 Environmental Defence Society Conference.
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12 July 2018
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
The Commissioner's quarterly update to members of Parliament
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26 April 2018
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
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
The Commissioner's address to the 2017 Science New Zealand Conference.
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27 July 2017
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
I recently released a report titled Taonga of an island nation: Saving New Zealand’s native birds.
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31 May 2017
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
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
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
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
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31 May 2016
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
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
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
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has called for bold leadership on climate change
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20 April 2016
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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