Forest & Bird is warning that the Government’s
decision to weaken national environmental direction removes
vital safeguards that New Zealanders expect.
The
changes make it easier to approve mining and quarrying in
areas already under extreme environmental pressure – and
put some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important
remaining native habitats and wildlife at serious
risk.
The National Policy Statement for Indigenous
Biodiversity rules were originally put in place to stop the
permanent loss of important wildlife. They allowed a few
exceptions, such as mining that provided a truly national
public benefit that couldn’t be achieved anywhere else,
and only if strong environmental safeguards were
added.
The Government’s changes weaken environmental
protections in our national policies and increase the risk
of irreversible damage. Mining projects no longer need to
show they deliver a national or public benefit before being
allowed to destroy areas of important
biodiversity.
“And it’s not just the mine or
quarry itself anymore,” says Richard Capie, Chief Advisor
at Forest & Bird. “The changes would also allow the
destruction of important habitats for things like
rockcrushing facilities, coal storage sites, and piles of
waste rock. These are activities that don’t need to be
located in sensitive natural areas. In the face of a
biodiversity crisis, this is completely
irresponsible.”
Forest & Bird is also concerned
about changes to the national direction that relates to
wetlands. New Zealand has already lost 90% of its wetlands
which are important habitats for many species. The new rules
mean more of our wetlands will be put at risk of destruction
for mines and quarries and associated activities such as
waste dumps.
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Other new national direction also poses
risks for nature – the new policies for infrastructure for
example, creates huge uncertainty about whether our native
species, habitats, including wetlands, will be protected in
the face of infrastructure development.
A
choice for voters
Forest & Bird
encourages New Zealanders to think about protecting the
environment as the country approaches the general election
this year.
“These rollbacks reflect political
priorities, not inevitability,” says Mr Capie.
“Environmental protections are set by governments, and
they can be strengthened or weakened.
“New
Zealanders will have an opportunity at the ballot box to
have their say about who they feel will best provide for
rivers that are safe to swim in, coasts rich in wildlife,
and a planning system that will protect our special places
and creatures for our children and
grandchildren.”
Forest & Bird is calling on all
political parties to commit to restoring strong,
science-based national policy directions that protect
freshwater, coastal ecosystems, and indigenous biodiversity
while enabling development in appropriate
locations.
“A healthy economy depends on healthy
ecosystems,” Mr Capie says. “Once ecosystems are
polluted and habitats destroyed, no amount of economic
growth can bring them
back.”
