Reports by date

Six recommendations are made to the Electricity Commission in the PCE's annual assessment of the Commission's environmental performance.

A key part of the PCE's role is to continually monitor New Zealand's progress towards sustainable development. As part of this process we set up an online Sustainability Forum, which closed in September 2007.

In 2007 I reviewed progress on the recommendations that were outlined in our 2004 report See Change. Many positive steps have been taken, and education for sustainability in New Zealand is now in much better shape than before the report was published. However, opportunities remain for further work across all sectors.

Local energy systems that include microgeneration technologies and energy efficiency measures could save and generate huge amounts of energy in the years ahead. A look at the new technologies and techniques for managing energy services at a local level, and six recommendations to make it happen.

Wind power will have a key part to play in a sustainable energy future for New Zealand, but more care is needed in how we develop it. This extensive overview includes a discussion of the impact of wind farms on valued landscapes, international experience of wind farms, and case studies from Auckland, the Manawatu and Wellington.

Using waste as a case study, this report examines how economic tools such as levies, taxes, credits, subsidies and deposit schemes can be used to improve environmental management.

Some superb work is now underway to restore the Rotorua Lakes. However, bringing the Lakes back to full health will take decades, so robust and enduring structures must be in place to make that happen.

The first four months of the Electricity Commission's operation in the spotlight, and 12 recommendations to help New Zealand to get more value from its electricity supply.

The Growing for good report on intensive farming stirred widespread debate when released last November. At eight workshops around New Zealand in February and March 2005, farmers, scientists, and others including agribusiness and local authority representatives met to discuss it.

The strengths and weaknesses of community planning in dealing with complex environmental issues can be seen in this case study of the Coromandel town of Whangamata.

The PCE has developed this framework to assess the environmental performance of New Zealand's electricity sector. Its purpose is to certify that energy services from electricity are provided in an environmentally sustainable manner through ongoing environmental performance assessments. The Commissioner is particularly keen to see improvements in energy efficiency and demand-side management, greater uptake of new generation technologies, renewables and ditributed generation, and the minimisation of greenhouse gases.

The purpose of this think-piece is to raise the level of debate about education for sustainability, and to stimulate effective action so that New Zealanders can learn to live in sustainable ways. It highlights how education, in its broadest sense, needs to bring about a 'sea change' (a transformation) for the better. This will require a shift in perception and understanding among many people and organisations in New Zealand today.

The PCE received 40 submissions on the proposed assessment framework from a wide variety of different organisations and individuals. The Commissioner also decided to respond to some concerns that were raised in these submissions. The summary of submissions and the PCE's response will both be available on this page from January 2004 onwards. Up-to-date information on the assessments can be found in the Current projects section of this website.

An investigation into the environmental effects of cruise ships visiting New Zealand waters. The report discusses sources of environmental risk from cruise ships, including those from waste discharges to water and air, biosecurity risks, and maritime accidents. It reviews overseas and local mechanisms for identifying and resolving adverse environmental effects associated with cruise ships.

The purpose of this discussion paper is to explore ways in which environmental policy and decision-making can be effectively supported by science and research to achieve effective environmental management and good outcomes. It lays out the many elements of science, policy and decision-making processes and poses some questions.

A review of the progress of sustainable development in New Zealand, with particular reference to environmental management performance since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The report highlights the opportunities and challenges for the future in maintaining a healthy environment, social well-being and a strong economy.

On the southern plateau of Brazil one city, Curitiba, has lifted itself out of tough circumstances, by the strength of good design and cohesive political leadership. The results are highly visible and show how to combine a healthy ecology, a vibrant economy and a society that nurtures people.

A summary of submissions made in response to the Commissioner's discussion paper Weaving Resilience into our Working Lands: future roles for native plants on private land (2001). The discussion paper explored how New Zealand can extend and expand native plants on private land to improve the ecological sustainability of land use, increase the economic viability of primary industries, retain the biological diversity of indigenous species, and enhance the 'sense of place'.

An investigation into Tasman District Council's (TDC) management of wetlands. The investigation reviews the international and national context for the sustainable management of wetlands at a strategic level. This includes consideration of: international conventions on wetlands (Ramsar); national initiatives on wetlands; Resource Management Act 1991 requirements; regional approaches to wetland management (other regional plans and non-regulatory programmes); and the contribution of wetlands to sustainable land use.

A review of the environmental planning and management carried out to ensure the sustainable development of peri-urban areas in New Zealand. The report highlights the complexity and variety of approaches adopted and seriously questions the adequacy and effectiveness of these in achieving desirable environmental outcomes.

Low rainfall, very high per capita usage and a heavy reliance on a single source of supply, the Waikanae River, have created a water crisis on the Kapiti Coast. Simple engineering solutions, such as tapping into new and more remote sources of supply, are no longer appropriate - the solutions must meet the public health needs of growing communities, support commercial development and provide for the ecological health of the environment.

The Hazardous Waste Management Programme has not achieved what it set out to do in 1997. Over 3 years after the programme was first announced, there is still no evidence of improved systems or outcomes.

Land use planning for seismic events and building over active fault lines - key issues regarding the legislation and its implementation by authorities. Includes topics such as access to geological information; risk assessment and management; regional and district planning; the Building Code and integration between the Building Act 1991 and the Resource Management Act 1991.

Biosecurity is as strategically important as national security when it comes to protecting New Zealand's key economic and environmental assets. We need to improve our biosecurity system to deal with pests and diseases that are capable of causing damage to New Zealand's unique natural resources and biotic economy.

This study explores the interactions between science, regulatory agencies and communities. And considers views about a range of possum biocontrol options, most of which involve genetic engineering, that are currently being researched in New Zealand.

A number of local authorities in New Zealand are seeking to implement Local Agenda 21 and advance sustainable development. This report discusses the implementation of Local Agenda 21 in the United Kingdom and raises a number of issues for New Zealand with regards to the implementation of Agenda 21.

An investigation into the significant issues, strategic risks and opportunities that influence the management of New Zealand's marine environment. The report concludes that a major revision of our thinking, policies and legislation is needed to ensure the sustainable future of the oceans and seas around New Zealand.

The Ministry for the Environment's hazardous waste programme has not achieved its goals within the initial 3-year timeframe for completion. The programme has been extended and the PCE will continue to audit progress.

A joint study with the Auditor-General, which reviewed the functionality of the unitary authority model of local government, rather than the performance of individual councils. The report examined how unitary authority councils undertook their environmental management responsibilities compared with those of a selection of regional and territorial authorities.

An impossumable dream? This report examines progress on possum control including the use of 1080 and other control methods and the statutory framework for managing the ecological and disease vector effects of possums, and identifies various strategic risks that may continue to have a significant impact on effective possum control in the future.

Concerns from residents that erosion of foredunes may be caused by commercial sand extraction led to an investigation of compliance monitoring by the regional council. This report highlights issues concerning: royalties processes; difficulties in managing effects at mean high water; the complexity of coastal processes; and the uncertainty surrounding the sustainability of activities such as commercial sand extraction.

How is information used in decision making under the RMA? An investigation of the manner in which information provided by the applicant, the affected parties or submitters and the council is used to make decisions, with specific reference to discharge permit applications.

New Zealand is highly urbanised, with more than 85 per cent of us living in towns and cities. The unsustainable nature and deteriorating quality of our urban environments are significant risks for New Zealand today, and this report on the management of the urban environment focuses on questions of sustainable development for our towns and cities and identifies major strategic priorities.

This investigation arose from a number of concerns raised with the Commissioner regarding the management of vegetation on the North Shore. It focuses on the effectiveness of the council's long term management of urban vegetation.

Examines the challenge of managing amenity values in New Zealand cities where population and housing densities are increasing. Looks at impacts on a range of values including streetscapes, natural and open spaces, city heritage, and traffic, and provides suggestions for improved management.

The Commissioner's 5-year strategic plan identifies significant ecosystems and several environmental management systems for investigation. These include the urban environment; the marine environment; conservation management; public participation in resource management; and the provision of information for environmental management, including environmental education and research.