Environmental Defence Society
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| Environmental Defence Society | |
|---|---|
| Name | Environmental Defence Society |
| Formation | 1971 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Region served | New Zealand, Pacific |
| Leader title | Executive Director |
Environmental Defence Society is a New Zealand-based non-governmental organization focused on environmental law, policy, and advocacy. Founded in 1971, it engages with regulatory processes, public litigation, and research to influence resource management and conservation outcomes. The Society works across statutory regimes, judicial forums, and public inquiry processes to promote sustainable management of natural resources.
History
The organisation emerged amid the 1960s–1970s environmental movement that included the Save Manapouri Campaign, the formation of Forest & Bird, and international influences such as the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and the rise of Greenpeace. Early activity involved participation in public inquiries under the Resource Management Act 1991 predecessors and landmark planning processes affecting places like the Hauraki Gulf and the Waikato River. Over subsequent decades the Society intervened in cases before the Environment Court of New Zealand, sought standing in statutory boards, and contributed submissions to select committee reviews in the New Zealand Parliament.
Mission and Objectives
The Society’s stated goals center on promoting effective use of environmental law instruments to protect indigenous biodiversity, freshwater, coastal zones, and landscapes. It advocates for robust implementation of statutes such as the Resource Management Act 1991 and engages with institutions including the Department of Conservation (New Zealand), the Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand), and regional councils like Auckland Council and Canterbury Regional Council. Objectives emphasize evidence-based policy, public participation in consenting processes, and legal clarity to support outcomes consistent with instruments such as the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.
Key Campaigns and Initiatives
Major campaigns have targeted reform and enforcement of resource consent regimes, freshwater protection initiatives related to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, and coastal management advocacy concerning the RMA reform debates. The Society has participated in advocacy around infrastructure projects affecting the Waikato River and contested consents for mining proposals in regions like the West Coast, New Zealand. Initiatives include convening conferences that attract academics from University of Auckland Faculty of Law, practitioners from private firms, and representatives from bodies such as the Environmental Protection Authority (New Zealand).
Legal and Policy Influence
Through legal interventions, amicus briefs, and submissions, the Society has influenced case law in the High Court of New Zealand, the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, and the Supreme Court of New Zealand where environmental jurisprudence has developed. Its work has engaged with statutory interpretation of instruments including the RMA 1991 and the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards) Regulations. The Society’s policy submissions have been presented to select committees of the New Zealand Parliament and to reviews led by panels such as those convened by the Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). It has also provided expert commentary to inquiries involving the Waitangi Tribunal when environmental claims intersect with treaty rights.
Organizational Structure and Funding
The Society operates with a governance board, paid staff including legal and policy analysts, and a volunteer network of advisors drawn from universities, law firms, and environmental consultancies such as those linked to Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, and private practice barristers who appear in the Environment Court of New Zealand. Funding derives from membership subscriptions, philanthropic foundations, research grants from entities like the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council-aligned funders, consultancy income, and event sponsorships from institutions and professional bodies. Governance adheres to charitable registration standards overseen by the Charities Services framework.
Publications and Research
The Society produces technical reports, policy briefs, legal analyses, and conference proceedings that inform practitioners, policymakers, and academics. Its published outputs address topics such as freshwater reform, biodiversity protection in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity commitments, and coastal hazards related to climate change impacts on the Pacific Islands Forum region. Publications are cited by scholars at institutions including the University of Otago, and used in submissions to agencies such as Environment Canterbury.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Collaborative work spans alliances with NGOs like Forest & Bird, research institutes at the Royal Society Te Apārangi, iwi authorities including Ngāi Tahu in matters of cultural redress and resource management, and international networks connected to the IUCN and ICLEI. Partnerships extend to professional bodies such as the New Zealand Law Society for continuing legal education, and cooperation with regional councils across Aotearoa for implementation projects and monitoring programs.