Stronger Law.Better Future.

EDS combines staunch advocacy with relationship building to deliver lasting environmental protection.

EDS logo

We do three things to achieve improved environmental outcomes.

Our policy team researches, develops and advocates for environmental solutions.

Our litigation enforces and strengthens the law, ensuring an environmental voice is heard in the courts.

Our events bring people together to share knowledge and build momentum.

What we do

Media releases

5 May 2026

EDS urges MPs to scrap the Fisheries Amendment Bill

EDS today lodged its submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill. The Bill includes a wide range of changes to the Fisheries Act 1996 including to catch limit settings, discards, deemed value rates, availability of camera recordings and the time limit for lodging judicial review applications.
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EDS today lodged its submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill. The Bill includes a wide range of changes to the Fisheries Act 1996 including to catch limit settings, discards, deemed value rates, availability of camera recordings and the time limit for lodging judicial review applications.
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24 April 2026

High Country at risk as Government opens door to development and disposal

The Government has introduced a new law that could result in intensive development, and even sale, of South Island High Country.
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The Government has introduced a new law that could result in intensive development, and even sale, of South Island High Country.
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15 April 2026

EDS says fast-track gold mine poses unacceptable environmental risks

EDS's evidence warns that the mine presents significant environmental risks, major uncertainties, and overstated economic benefits.
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EDS's evidence warns that the mine presents significant environmental risks, major uncertainties, and overstated economic benefits.
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8 April 2026

EDS and Forest & Bird join forces to challenge stewardship land decisions

Yesterday EDS and Forest & Bird jointly filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court seeking to overturn 99 of the Minister of Conservation’s decisions on the review of stewardship land on the West Coast of the South Island.
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Yesterday EDS and Forest & Bird jointly filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court seeking to overturn 99 of the Minister of Conservation’s decisions on the review of stewardship land on the West Coast of the South Island.
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6 April 2026

EDS News April 2026

Read the latest from EDS in our April newsletter.
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Read the latest from EDS in our April newsletter.
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16 March 2026

Expert Panel invites EDS to comment on Bendigo goldmine

Our invitation to join the process means that we can provide the decision-making panel with independent expert evidence scrutinising these assertions.
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Our invitation to join the process means that we can provide the decision-making panel with independent expert evidence scrutinising these assertions.
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Featured content

Webinar

What's wrong with the Fisheries Amendment Bill

Monday 11 May 2026
Online
Conference

Beyond the election: A new mandate for the environment

24-25 June 2026
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

EDS in the news

20 April 2026

Fishing industry fears ‘going backwards’ with new laws empowering council bans

Seafood NZ warns the RMA replacement bill potentially allows more council-led bans like in the Coromandel, but the Environmental Defence Society doesn’t agree
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Seafood NZ warns the RMA replacement bill potentially allows more council-led bans like in the Coromandel, but the Environmental Defence Society doesn’t agree
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16 April 2026

Delay looms for fast-tracked Otago gold mine as submissions roll in – objector

Santana Minerals has been inundated with opposition to Bendigo Gold Mine.
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Santana Minerals has been inundated with opposition to Bendigo Gold Mine.
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16 April 2026

Wildlife deaths, intergenerational harm flagged in gold mine assessments

Significant ecological harm identified if Bendigo Gold Mine proceeds.
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Significant ecological harm identified if Bendigo Gold Mine proceeds.
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16 March 2026

Fuel crisis illustrates why we need energy independence – not LNG

The Government’s proposal to import LNG is nonsensical.
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The Government’s proposal to import LNG is nonsensical.
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9 March 2026

Finding a better way to overhaul regional councils

Local Government reform has the potential to go very wrong for environmental governance.
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Local Government reform has the potential to go very wrong for environmental governance.
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2 March 2026

Major agriculture groups united on RMA replacement concerns

Rushed resource management law-making will lead to uncertain and worse outcomes.
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Rushed resource management law-making will lead to uncertain and worse outcomes.
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Featured content

EDS Report

EDS Investigates: Freshwater ambushed

EDS exposes systemic issues with how environmental legislation is being shaped.
Donate

Donate to EDS's case on the Bendigo Gold Mine

EDS is seeking funding support to enable independent expert scrutiny of the proposed Bendigo-Ophir Gold Mine, currently progressing through fast-track.

Law and policy submissions

5 May 2026

Submission on Fisheries Amendment Bill 2026

Read EDS's submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill 2026
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Read EDS's submission on the Fisheries Amendment Bill 2026

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26 March 2026

Review of proposed spawning area closure to orange roughy fishing in East and South Chatham Rise (ORH 3B) from 1 June 2026

Implementing a spawning area closure for ESCR orange roughy is a positive step in managing a depleted stock but more is needed to be done.
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Implementing a spawning area closure for ESCR orange roughy is a positive step in managing a depleted stock but more is needed to be done.

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4 March 2026

Submission on the Environment (Disestablishment of Ministry for the Environment) Amendment Bill

While there is a need for more integrated decision-making across portfolios EDS opposes the Bill because of broader institutional context.
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While there is a need for more integrated decision-making across portfolios EDS opposes the Bill because of broader institutional context.

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20 February 2026

Final submission on Resource Management Act replacement Bills: Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill

EDS's submission on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill identifies four major concerns and proposes extensive drafting changes.
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EDS's submission on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill identifies four major concerns and proposes extensive drafting changes.

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20 February 2026

Final submission on Resource Management Act replacement Bills: Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill: Drafting Appendix

Read EDS's proposed drafting to fix Resource Management replacement laws.
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Read EDS's proposed drafting to fix Resource Management replacement laws.

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20 February 2026

Submission on Simplifying Local Government

Local Government reform is needed. There is a clear case for amalgamation, shared services and unitisation.
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Local Government reform is needed. There is a clear case for amalgamation, shared services and unitisation.

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Aotearoa New Zealand is at a crucial time with biodiversity and climate in crisis. Help us lead it in the right direction.

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