You are here:

Media releases from our ministers

Call-in Board of Inquiry members announced - Environment Minister [29 August 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the members of the Board of Inquiry who will consider the proposed Contact Energy wind farm near Raglan. The minister's intention to call-in the proposed180-turbine Hauauru ma Raki wind farm near Raglan was announced yesterday.

Integrating sustainability into business decisions - Environment Minister [29 August 2008]
Good morning and welcome to this Ministry for the Environment and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise breakfast on sustainable design. It is my great pleasure to also welcome Professor Michael Braungart to our breakfast this morning. Welcome Michael, and thank you for taking the time to come down to Wellington to meet with us. Michael is in New Zealand, and able to speak to us today, because he is presenting at the Better by Design conference on Sustainable Design in Auckland next Tuesday.

Wind farm proposal near Raglan to be called in - Environment Minister [27 August 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today announced he intends to call in a renewable energy development proposal for a 180-turbine wind farm near Raglan so it is considered by an independent Board of Inquiry.

Tackling climate change downunder - Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues [20 August 2008]
I would first like to welcome you all here to Auckland for the 4th Australia and New Zealand Climate Change and Business Conference. I wish to offer a particularly warm welcome to our counterparts who have made the trip over from Australia and further afield. We are pleased to have you here in New Zealand.

Board of Inquiry to consider renewable generation - Environment Minister [13 August 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard has appointed an independent Board of Inquiry to consider the proposed National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation.

Another step in restoring beautiful Rotorua lakes - Environment Minister [12 August 2008]
I’m very proud to be here today beside Lake Rotorua for this important next step in the restoration of the beautiful Rotorua Lakes. Today’s signing of the funding deed seals the government’s commitment to the Rotorua Lakes Restoration Programme, with a contribution of $72.1 million over the next 10 years.

Management of New Zealand’s fresh water resource - Environment Minister [12 August 2008]
Good quality freshwater is fundamental to our kiwi lifestyle. It’s crucial for economic development, and its beauty, health and cleanliness are key to our national identity, to our kiwi culture and to the health and security of communities around New Zealand.

Important next step in Rotorua lakes clean-up - Environment Minister [11 August 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today signed a funding deed sealing the government’s $72.1 million commitment to restore the most degraded Rotorua lakes. The Minister also handed over a symbolic cheque for $4.5 million, representing the government's contribution for the first 6 months of the programme.

NZ eco-labels get big tick internationally - Environment Minister [6 August 2008]
A New Zealand eco-labelling scheme that tells consumers if furniture or paper products come from recycled or sustainable sources has been given a big tick in an international study.

Proposed tighter regime regarding GM crops - Environment Minister [4 August 2008]
Proposed amendments to current legislation will provide a greater level of transparency and increased accountability regarding the management of genetically modified (GM) crops, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard says.

Important that lessons are learned from Mapua - Environment Minister [29 July 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard says lessons have been learned during the successful clean-up of New Zealand’s most contaminated site.

Board of inquiry appointed for water policy stmt - Environment Minister [25 July 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard has appointed a four-person board which will lead public consultation on the proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management. Judge David Sheppard has been appointed as chairperson and Kevin Prime, Jenni Vernon and Dr Jon Harding as board members.

Proposed stronger regime for protecting our water - Environment Minister [25 July 2008]
A proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management that aims to set up a stronger regime for the protection and enhancement of New Zealand's rivers, lakes and waterways has been released by Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today.

Aquaculture legislation to confirm original intent of aquaculture law reform and help industry develop - Environment Minister [25 July 2008]
Two bills amending aquaculture legislation to confirm the original intent of aquaculture law reform and help the industry develop in New Zealand were introduced to Parliament today by Environment Minister Trevor Mallard.

Kawarau Water Conservation Order special tribunal announced - Environment Minister [18 July 2008]
A special tribunal has been appointed to consider an application to amend the Kawarau Water Conservation Order, Associate Environment Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today.

Govt contributes $1.5m to Patea site cleanup - Environment Minister [15 July 2008]
The government has recognised the importance of a safe environment for Patea’s residents by allocating $1.5 million towards a clean-up of the town’s contaminated old freezing works site, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

New aquaculture initiatives announced - Environment Minister [15 July 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today announced funding for aquaculture projects in Tasman, Northland and Marlborough aimed at progressing aquaculture planning and the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry in New Zealand.

NES to ensure wastewater systems are maintained - Environment Minister [15 July 2008]
A proposed National Environmental Standard to improve the environmental performance of domestic on-site wastewater systems is out for public comment, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

Best practice urban design in local government - Environment Minister [30 June 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard's speech to the Urban Design Symposium, Circa Theatre, Wellington Thank you for the invitation to open the Urban Design Symposium this morning – the second symposium that's been held for urban design protocol champions and urban designers.

Speech: Best practice urban design in local government - Environment Minister [30 June 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard's speech to the Urban Design Symposium, Circa Theatre, Wellington.

Protecting our ocean resources - Environment Minister [30 June 2008]
Speech by Environment Minister Trevor Mallard to Sustainable New Zealand: Rhetoric or Reality conference of ECO (Environment and Conservation Organisations of Aotearoa), St Johns in the City Church, Wellington

Legislation to safeguard ocean ecosystems - Environment Minister [27 June 2008]
To help safeguard New Zealand’s ocean ecosystems, the government is drafting legislation to manage the environmental effects of currently unregulated activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

Government agencies leading by example - Environment Minister [27 June 2008]
I would like to take this opportunity to outline the government’s aspiration for New Zealand to become a world leader in sustainability and one of the first carbon neutral nations. Then I would like to update you on what the government and public sector have been doing to help achieve these goals.

Outstanding contributions to the environment - Environment Minister [4 June 2008]
This year’s Green Ribbon Awards honour outstanding contributions to the environment, and tonight’s award ceremony marks the beginning of events celebrating New Zealand’s hosting of World Environment Day, said Prime Minister Helen Clark and Environment Minister Trevor Mallard.

Sustainability sells – the climate change business - Environment Minister [20 May 2008]
Good morning and welcome to the Small Business Expo for 2008. Thanks to the organisers for inviting me to open this expo and welcome everyone to what I am sure will be a worthwhile and inspiring event. As Environment Minister it's great to see the choice of sustainability as this year’s theme.

Minister will not intervene in Mokihinui hydro scheme proposal - Environment Minister [12 May 2008]
Minister for the Environment Trevor Mallard has decided not to call in Meridian Energy’s proposal to construct a dam on the Mokihinui River on the West Coast of the South Island.

Emissions trading is effective and affordable - Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues [30 April 2008]
A summary of economic modelling shows emissions trading is an effective approach to reducing New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions in the long term, Climate Change Minister David Parker says.

Emissions trading also good for air, water and land - Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues [29 April 2008]
An independent report finds the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme will produce important benefits for air, water and land, as well as for the climate. There will also be some challenges to manage.

Inspiring youth to take environmental action - Environment Minister [28 April 2008]
Inspiring youth to take action against climate change in their communities is the aim of the 2008 Sir Peter Blake Youth Environment Forum which kicks off today, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard said.

World Environment Day events in the regions - Environment Minister [24 April 2008]
More than 100 school and community projects around the country will mark New Zealand's hosting of World Environment Day on June 5 and receive government funding, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

World Environment Day events announced - Environment Minister [2 April 2008]
Eleven special environmental events and projects around the country have been awarded grants so far as part of the lead-up to New Zealand's first ever hosting of World Environment Day on June 5, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

Energy advice helpline for households welcomed - Environment Minister [31 March 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today welcomed the start of a pilot scheme for an energy advice helpline providing free, independent professional advice for people wanting to discuss their home energy needs.

Te Mihi call-in - Board of Inquiry appointed - Environment Minister [7 March 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the members of a Board of Inquiry to consider Contact Energy’s proposal for a new geothermal power station at Te Mihi near Taupo.

Minister helps clean up - Seaweek - Environment Minister [4 March 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard has taken up the Seaweek challenge to clean up New Zealand beaches, and will help with a clean up at Oriental Parade beach on Monday.

New chair Environment Risk Management Authority - Environment Minister [29 February 2008]
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Woods as the new chair of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA).