Aotearoa’s leading environmental organisations are
urging all political parties to make nature and climate an
election priority and calling for an urgent ‘environmental
reset’ in the first 100 days of the next
Government.
Launching a joint
policy roadmap today, WWF-New Zealand, Greenpeace
Aotearoa and Forest & Bird warn that the recent ‘war
on nature’ is accelerating environmental and climate
damage and increasing long-term costs for households,
communities and the economy.
The roadmap –
Building a nature-positive Aotearoa for a prosperous,
resilient future – lays out a vision for a greener,
healthier Aotearoa and sets out practical, science-based
actions to protect nature, boost climate resilience, and
grow the economy.
Halting environmentally destructive
fast-tracked projects, reinstating the ban on offshore oil
and gas exploration, and ending destructive fishing
practices in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana are just some of
the policies the groups say must be prioritised within the
first 100 days.
WWF-New Zealand’s CEO, Dr
Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, says there needs to be an
immediate course-correct.
“It’s time for a
ceasefire in the Government’s ‘war on nature’. Nature
is central to our economy and wellbeing – but short-term
decisions and extractive economics have left our native
species on the brink of extinction and communities
increasingly exposed to climate-driven weather extremes.
There can be a better way, and the next Government has a
golden opportunity to create an Aotearoa where people and
nature thrive together.”
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
Greenpeace
Aotearoa’s Executive Director, Russel Norman,
says:
“Political parties need to think of
nature as their biggest donor. Nature gives us air to
breathe, clean water to drink, and food to sustain us and
our families into the future. Sure, a few destructive
industries will give them a bit of cash in the short term,
hoping to get regulations to trash the place for profit, but
if you want to keep your biggest donor happy, then think
nature first.”
Forest & Bird’s CEO,
Nicola Toki, says:
“Nature belongs to all
of us and it’s part of who we are. We want real, positive
change for nature, the kind that actually shows up in
government decisions. It’s how Aotearoa can grow jobs,
wellbeing, and resilience, while leaving the natural world
stronger for those who come after us.”
Beyond the
first 100 days, the roadmap outlines a longer-term plan to
accelerate renewable energy and clean transport, end
destructive fishing practices and protect the ocean,
transition to more sustainable agriculture.
It also
calls for large-scale investment in nature-based solutions,
restoring wetlands and native forests at scale, and ensuring
polluters pay their fair share.
The briefing has been
sent to all political parties ahead of the 2026 General
Election.
Note:
The full policy
roadmap is available to download here
–
https://wwf.org.nz/news/nature-positive/building-nature-positive-aotearoa-prosperous-resilient-future
