Environmental Law Initiative - Aotearoa NZ
@eli-aotearoa.bsky.social
We use the law to protect the natural taonga of Aotearoa.
Too often environmental laws are poorly implemented or ignored. We're changing that. We use the law to hold regulators & corporate interests to account, for nature & future generations.
eli.org.nz
Too often environmental laws are poorly implemented or ignored. We're changing that. We use the law to hold regulators & corporate interests to account, for nature & future generations.
eli.org.nz
“Silence fell across the court as the death of yet another hoiho was announced. It was a potent reminder of why we are here. We want to see hoiho stand a chance of surviving,”
-- ELI’s Senior Legal Advisor Megan Cornforth-Camden.
#hoiho #penguins #conservation
-- ELI’s Senior Legal Advisor Megan Cornforth-Camden.
#hoiho #penguins #conservation
December 1, 2025 at 3:33 AM
“Silence fell across the court as the death of yet another hoiho was announced. It was a potent reminder of why we are here. We want to see hoiho stand a chance of surviving,”
-- ELI’s Senior Legal Advisor Megan Cornforth-Camden.
#hoiho #penguins #conservation
-- ELI’s Senior Legal Advisor Megan Cornforth-Camden.
#hoiho #penguins #conservation
We’re underway this morning at the High Court, in our urgent case against the Minister for Oceans & Fisheries. This is the first time emergency powers have been used to protect a threatened species under the Fisheries Act. With ongoing decline of many marine species, they are an ever-important tool.
November 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
We’re underway this morning at the High Court, in our urgent case against the Minister for Oceans & Fisheries. This is the first time emergency powers have been used to protect a threatened species under the Fisheries Act. With ongoing decline of many marine species, they are an ever-important tool.
On Monday, we begin our urgent hearing in the Wellington High Court, where we will be challenging the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries’ emergency set-net fishing closure. Why? We argue that the closure is inadequate to protect the critically endangered northern hoiho population.
#hoiho #penguins
#hoiho #penguins
November 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Breaking: We are appealing the High Court ruling that upheld the NZ EPA’s decision finding no grounds to reassess glyphosate or glyphosate-containing herbicides.
Despite being the most widely used herbicide in Aotearoa NZ, the EPA has never conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of #glyphosate.
Despite being the most widely used herbicide in Aotearoa NZ, the EPA has never conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of #glyphosate.
November 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Breaking: We are appealing the High Court ruling that upheld the NZ EPA’s decision finding no grounds to reassess glyphosate or glyphosate-containing herbicides.
Despite being the most widely used herbicide in Aotearoa NZ, the EPA has never conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of #glyphosate.
Despite being the most widely used herbicide in Aotearoa NZ, the EPA has never conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of #glyphosate.
After our 2 year-long joint proceedings against Z Energy, the company has run full-page adverts in the Sunday Star Times and the Herald on Sunday, apologising for any confusion caused by aspects of its advertising campaign, which claimed it was in the business of getting out of the petrol business.
November 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
After our 2 year-long joint proceedings against Z Energy, the company has run full-page adverts in the Sunday Star Times and the Herald on Sunday, apologising for any confusion caused by aspects of its advertising campaign, which claimed it was in the business of getting out of the petrol business.
We have been granted an urgent hearing, with the Court saying that the interests of justice favour an urgent hearing.
We'll be in the High Court Dec 1st - 2nd.
For hoiho to survive on the mainland and in Rakiura, we need to ensure that the Government is implementing the Fisheries Act correctly.
We'll be in the High Court Dec 1st - 2nd.
For hoiho to survive on the mainland and in Rakiura, we need to ensure that the Government is implementing the Fisheries Act correctly.
October 22, 2025 at 1:50 AM
We have been granted an urgent hearing, with the Court saying that the interests of justice favour an urgent hearing.
We'll be in the High Court Dec 1st - 2nd.
For hoiho to survive on the mainland and in Rakiura, we need to ensure that the Government is implementing the Fisheries Act correctly.
We'll be in the High Court Dec 1st - 2nd.
For hoiho to survive on the mainland and in Rakiura, we need to ensure that the Government is implementing the Fisheries Act correctly.
High Court Judgment for ELI vs EPA
The High Court has ruled that the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) did not establish “a reviewable error” in the EPA's decision that grounds did not exist to reassess the herbicide glyphosate.
Full statement on our website: buff.ly/VAZA9aJ
The High Court has ruled that the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) did not establish “a reviewable error” in the EPA's decision that grounds did not exist to reassess the herbicide glyphosate.
Full statement on our website: buff.ly/VAZA9aJ
October 21, 2025 at 1:28 AM
High Court Judgment for ELI vs EPA
The High Court has ruled that the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) did not establish “a reviewable error” in the EPA's decision that grounds did not exist to reassess the herbicide glyphosate.
Full statement on our website: buff.ly/VAZA9aJ
The High Court has ruled that the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) did not establish “a reviewable error” in the EPA's decision that grounds did not exist to reassess the herbicide glyphosate.
Full statement on our website: buff.ly/VAZA9aJ
Breaking: We have filed High Court proceedings against the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, challenging his recent decision to close a portion of northern hoiho habitat to setnet fishing.
We’ve asked the High Court to grant an urgent hearing.
#hoiho #yellow-eyedpenguin #penguins
We’ve asked the High Court to grant an urgent hearing.
#hoiho #yellow-eyedpenguin #penguins
October 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Breaking: We have filed High Court proceedings against the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, challenging his recent decision to close a portion of northern hoiho habitat to setnet fishing.
We’ve asked the High Court to grant an urgent hearing.
#hoiho #yellow-eyedpenguin #penguins
We’ve asked the High Court to grant an urgent hearing.
#hoiho #yellow-eyedpenguin #penguins
Want to know what we’re working on? For a full list of our cases visit eli.org.nz. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on case developments.
October 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Want to know what we’re working on? For a full list of our cases visit eli.org.nz. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on case developments.
We have filed an appeal over the High Court's decision not to overturn ECan's MHV nitrate discharge consent (despite the Court finding the consent to be unlawful).
#freshwater
#canterbury
#nitrates
#freshwater
#canterbury
#nitrates
October 1, 2025 at 2:41 AM
We have filed an appeal over the High Court's decision not to overturn ECan's MHV nitrate discharge consent (despite the Court finding the consent to be unlawful).
#freshwater
#canterbury
#nitrates
#freshwater
#canterbury
#nitrates
A landmark win for our moana and all that lives there 🌍 We congratulate all of those around the world who have been working tirelessly to make this treaty a reality. We must protect the ocean to protect life on this planet.
buff.ly/KBXijb9
#globaloceanstreaty
#ocenprotection
buff.ly/KBXijb9
#globaloceanstreaty
#ocenprotection
September 23, 2025 at 5:19 AM
A landmark win for our moana and all that lives there 🌍 We congratulate all of those around the world who have been working tirelessly to make this treaty a reality. We must protect the ocean to protect life on this planet.
buff.ly/KBXijb9
#globaloceanstreaty
#ocenprotection
buff.ly/KBXijb9
#globaloceanstreaty
#ocenprotection
We now have a court date!
From March 16th - 18th, 2026, along with our friends at Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc we'll be challenging the Minister for Climate Change in the Wellington High Court.
This will be a crucial moment where the Govt's emission's reduction plan will face legal scrutiny.
From March 16th - 18th, 2026, along with our friends at Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc we'll be challenging the Minister for Climate Change in the Wellington High Court.
This will be a crucial moment where the Govt's emission's reduction plan will face legal scrutiny.
September 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
We now have a court date!
From March 16th - 18th, 2026, along with our friends at Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc we'll be challenging the Minister for Climate Change in the Wellington High Court.
This will be a crucial moment where the Govt's emission's reduction plan will face legal scrutiny.
From March 16th - 18th, 2026, along with our friends at Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc we'll be challenging the Minister for Climate Change in the Wellington High Court.
This will be a crucial moment where the Govt's emission's reduction plan will face legal scrutiny.
Some good news for Māui #dolphins. This decision is a reminder that the world is watching. A US Court ruled that NZ fish exports fail to meet the United States Marine Mammal Protection Act – because NZ is not sufficiently protecting critically endangered Māui dolphins from fishing related-deaths.
September 9, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Some good news for Māui #dolphins. This decision is a reminder that the world is watching. A US Court ruled that NZ fish exports fail to meet the United States Marine Mammal Protection Act – because NZ is not sufficiently protecting critically endangered Māui dolphins from fishing related-deaths.
We have just received the judgment from the High Court on our case against ECan & MHV regarding nitrate pollution in Canterbury.
The judge found that ECan made a material error of law in granting the consent. However, due to the govt's recent changes to the RMA, the consent was not overturned.
The judge found that ECan made a material error of law in granting the consent. However, due to the govt's recent changes to the RMA, the consent was not overturned.
September 2, 2025 at 4:05 AM
We have just received the judgment from the High Court on our case against ECan & MHV regarding nitrate pollution in Canterbury.
The judge found that ECan made a material error of law in granting the consent. However, due to the govt's recent changes to the RMA, the consent was not overturned.
The judge found that ECan made a material error of law in granting the consent. However, due to the govt's recent changes to the RMA, the consent was not overturned.
We welcome Fisheries NZ’s proposal to close crayfish fisheries along the east coast of Northland, the Hauraki Gulf, and the Bay of Plenty, to allow recovery of crayfish populations & ecosystems. The science is clear: closures to crayfish fisheries are needed to restore their populations & habitats.
August 15, 2025 at 10:18 PM
We welcome Fisheries NZ’s proposal to close crayfish fisheries along the east coast of Northland, the Hauraki Gulf, and the Bay of Plenty, to allow recovery of crayfish populations & ecosystems. The science is clear: closures to crayfish fisheries are needed to restore their populations & habitats.
Just 143 breeding pairs of hoiho remain on the New Zealand mainland. It's time for Ministers to use their emergency and other powers to stop this population going extinct.
Today's Sunday Star Times tracks their demise and the options Ministers have, following our recent letters to Ministers.
Today's Sunday Star Times tracks their demise and the options Ministers have, following our recent letters to Ministers.
August 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Just 143 breeding pairs of hoiho remain on the New Zealand mainland. It's time for Ministers to use their emergency and other powers to stop this population going extinct.
Today's Sunday Star Times tracks their demise and the options Ministers have, following our recent letters to Ministers.
Today's Sunday Star Times tracks their demise and the options Ministers have, following our recent letters to Ministers.
And all we actually want is for the Minister and the Government to follow the law. 🤔
Cartoon by Murdoch in today's The Post
Our response to Minister Jones' announcement that he intends to limit judicial review of decisions under the Fisheries Act is at eli.org.nz
#sustainablefisheries #nzpol
Cartoon by Murdoch in today's The Post
Our response to Minister Jones' announcement that he intends to limit judicial review of decisions under the Fisheries Act is at eli.org.nz
#sustainablefisheries #nzpol
August 8, 2025 at 2:20 AM
And all we actually want is for the Minister and the Government to follow the law. 🤔
Cartoon by Murdoch in today's The Post
Our response to Minister Jones' announcement that he intends to limit judicial review of decisions under the Fisheries Act is at eli.org.nz
#sustainablefisheries #nzpol
Cartoon by Murdoch in today's The Post
Our response to Minister Jones' announcement that he intends to limit judicial review of decisions under the Fisheries Act is at eli.org.nz
#sustainablefisheries #nzpol
The Government is under-levying the fishing industry by millions of dollars, contributing to the insufficient resourcing of marine conservation research and the decreasing deployment of fishery observers.
The Post has the story.
#sustainablefishing
The Post has the story.
#sustainablefishing
August 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The Government is under-levying the fishing industry by millions of dollars, contributing to the insufficient resourcing of marine conservation research and the decreasing deployment of fishery observers.
The Post has the story.
#sustainablefishing
The Post has the story.
#sustainablefishing
Earlier this month, we launched an Environmental Law Clinic, in partnership with Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law.
As we look to the future, we need decision-makers who understand our environmental laws - domestic and international - and know how to implement them.
As we look to the future, we need decision-makers who understand our environmental laws - domestic and international - and know how to implement them.
July 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Earlier this month, we launched an Environmental Law Clinic, in partnership with Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law.
As we look to the future, we need decision-makers who understand our environmental laws - domestic and international - and know how to implement them.
As we look to the future, we need decision-makers who understand our environmental laws - domestic and international - and know how to implement them.
After writing to Ministers, calling for urgent action to stop the northern population of hoiho yellow-eyed penguins going extinct, we have now heard back from them.
Newsroom's Andrew Bevin has the story.
#penguins #hoiho #BirdOfTheYear #Yelloweyedpenguin #wildlifenz
Newsroom's Andrew Bevin has the story.
#penguins #hoiho #BirdOfTheYear #Yelloweyedpenguin #wildlifenz
July 23, 2025 at 6:33 AM
After writing to Ministers, calling for urgent action to stop the northern population of hoiho yellow-eyed penguins going extinct, we have now heard back from them.
Newsroom's Andrew Bevin has the story.
#penguins #hoiho #BirdOfTheYear #Yelloweyedpenguin #wildlifenz
Newsroom's Andrew Bevin has the story.
#penguins #hoiho #BirdOfTheYear #Yelloweyedpenguin #wildlifenz
There are 6 days left to have your say on orange roughy and bottom trawling.
Just 8 - 18% of the original orange roughy biomass remains in the the East and South Chatham Rise - an area which has in the past been the source of 40% of global orange roughy catch.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
Just 8 - 18% of the original orange roughy biomass remains in the the East and South Chatham Rise - an area which has in the past been the source of 40% of global orange roughy catch.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
July 22, 2025 at 5:03 AM
There are 6 days left to have your say on orange roughy and bottom trawling.
Just 8 - 18% of the original orange roughy biomass remains in the the East and South Chatham Rise - an area which has in the past been the source of 40% of global orange roughy catch.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
Just 8 - 18% of the original orange roughy biomass remains in the the East and South Chatham Rise - an area which has in the past been the source of 40% of global orange roughy catch.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
We welcome today’s news from the EPA that they will be following other international regulators and banning the crop insecticide chlorpyrifos.
#chlorpyrifos
#NZEPA
#chlorpyrifos
#NZEPA
July 10, 2025 at 4:05 AM
We welcome today’s news from the EPA that they will be following other international regulators and banning the crop insecticide chlorpyrifos.
#chlorpyrifos
#NZEPA
#chlorpyrifos
#NZEPA
After a deep dive into the highly destructive effects of bottom trawling, our High Court hearing has come to a close!
Our huge thanks to our counsel, experts who provided evidence, and everyone who has shown their support.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
Our huge thanks to our counsel, experts who provided evidence, and everyone who has shown their support.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
July 9, 2025 at 5:04 AM
After a deep dive into the highly destructive effects of bottom trawling, our High Court hearing has come to a close!
Our huge thanks to our counsel, experts who provided evidence, and everyone who has shown their support.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
Our huge thanks to our counsel, experts who provided evidence, and everyone who has shown their support.
#orangeroughy #bottomtrawling
We’re back in the High Court today for day 2 of our bottom trawling / orange roughy case.
Cartoon by Emma Cook for The Post, article by Andrea Vance.
buff.ly/qLrJkah
#orangeroughy
#bottomtrawlingnz
#FisheriesAct
buff.ly/qLrJkah
#orangeroughy
#bottomtrawlingnz
#FisheriesAct
July 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
We’re back in the High Court today for day 2 of our bottom trawling / orange roughy case.
Cartoon by Emma Cook for The Post, article by Andrea Vance.
buff.ly/qLrJkah
#orangeroughy
#bottomtrawlingnz
#FisheriesAct
buff.ly/qLrJkah
#orangeroughy
#bottomtrawlingnz
#FisheriesAct
Earlier this year, DOC said the mainland hoiho population may go extinct within 20 years.
The northern population is distinct from those in the south, and it’s in crisis.
Three hoiho have been killed in commercial fishing incidents in the three months April - June, according to Seafood New Zealand
The northern population is distinct from those in the south, and it’s in crisis.
Three hoiho have been killed in commercial fishing incidents in the three months April - June, according to Seafood New Zealand
July 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Earlier this year, DOC said the mainland hoiho population may go extinct within 20 years.
The northern population is distinct from those in the south, and it’s in crisis.
Three hoiho have been killed in commercial fishing incidents in the three months April - June, according to Seafood New Zealand
The northern population is distinct from those in the south, and it’s in crisis.
Three hoiho have been killed in commercial fishing incidents in the three months April - June, according to Seafood New Zealand