Fridays For Future Aotearoa, Te Upoko Te Ika (Wellington, New Zealand)

In the next episode of our radio show ‘Climate Crisis Aotearoa’, Kit speaks to David Lowe – author of ‘The Alarmist – Fifty Years Measuring Climate Change’ and also Carley McFalls from Generation Zero.

Sunday 22 March, 6pm to 6.30pm, on Access Radio.

If you miss it, you can catch the recording on:

• the Access Radio website (for a short while – it only stores three episodes at a time)
• Kit’s substack (go right to the bottom of the page)

This regular radio show broadcasts every fourth Sunday at 6.30pm.

One of our members made the following submission on the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill – which, if passed, will replace the Resource Management Act.

It’s not too late to make your own submission! The deadline is 4.30pm on Friday, 13 February 2026.

The separation of the RMA into 2 bills is liable to create conflicts between criteria.

In general I am worried by the reduced emphasis on environmental harm , including biodiversity issues, and exclusion of Mana Whenua concerns. Iwi and hapu hold local knowledge which may not be available to developers.
I applaud the clarification and imposition of limits to the effects of conctruction, eg noise, vibration, etc. However I am troubled that equally significant environmental and cultural issues are ignored.

The onus on local Councils is excessive – I have a concern about Council’s financial capacity to provide ‘relief’ to landowners if they impose protections to prevent development – such as biodiversity loss or serious impact on the character of land. Furthermore this provision could open the way for developers to profit from dishonest applications, and for Councils to be frightened into approvals. The idea is unjust, unfair and dangerous to the environment. New Zealanders should not have to pay to prevent harm to nature .

I disagree with the proposed limitation of notification of applications and consents to local stakeholders. When the applications have national impact it is appropriate for national notifications to be issued and input taken into account
Without clearer guidelines on environmental harm, and national input, the decision about what is a minor rather than a significant adverse effect may well be ill considered. Environmental law should have clear, direct rules that restrict damaging activities . There are clear science-based lits on the level of harm an environment can take, and we should not encourage lowering these limts.

My/our recommendations
I strongly recommend these bills be amended to include a strong focus on environmental and Mana Whenua considerations. I want to see science-based national perspectives on harm to nature from development in bills supporting development, and support of input from Mana Whenua.

I also strongly recommend the removal of requirement on Councils (ie local ratepayers) to provide compensation for refusals or curtailment of developments. I oppose the compensation regimes in both bills (Clauses: NEB 111 and 122; Planning Bill 92 and 105) and recommend they be removed entirely.
I oppose all barriers in the National Envionment Bill that make it hard for Councils to use direct rules, including clause 86 . I oppose the ecouragement to councils to set lower limits.

I propose inclusion of a method to curtail developments that are proving to be harmful once they are under way.

The Green Party has a submission guide you can use.

It’s a new year and the fight for climate action continues…

Our first protest of the year is Tuesday 6 January, 12.30. Come over and join us!

Goodbye 2025

Below are photos from 2025

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Some events hosted by Climate Liberation Aotearoa (CLA)…

ANZ ACTION – 8 August, 215 Lambton Quay ANZ

Let’s keep putting pressure on ANZ to drop Bathurst! This is a nationally coordinated day of action to target ANZ branches and send a clear message that the people of Aotearoa do not support their destructive banking practices.

Let’s show our support by going to the rally at 9.30am, outside the ANZ!

This is organised by CLA and Oil Free Wellington

More on their Facebook

BLOCKADE CINEMA film screening – 25 July, 6pm, 2/57 Willis St

Watch some films about direct action in so-called Australia and chat to the filmmaker and some people who have participated in direct action.

Hosted by CLA and Manic Seeds Media.

More on : https://www.facebook.com/share/19N7j7qARJ/

NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION (NVDA) TRAINING – 3 August, 1-5pm, 2/57 Willis St

Open to all, regardless of experience level – you’ll be doing tons of hands-on practice, especially to prepare for the 8 August action!

Hosted by CLA

As Ryan Ward wrote on E-Tangata, ‘This bill includes a frightening principle that sets the stage for corporate interests to trump all public and Indigenous rights‘

We have until 23 June 2023 to tell the Govt what we think about this evil twin of the Treaty Principles Bill.

Emily Writes has a bunch more links to why this Bill passing into law would be terrible for Maori, the environment, and regular New Zealanders (ie non-corporates).

You can read the wording of the Bill, and /or submit via the Parliament website.

But if you’re like me, some help with doing that wouldn’t go amiss. So here are some submission guides, from:

• the PSA
• Greenpeace
• the Green Party
• Kiwis for the Treaty
  

350 Aotearoa, Fridays for Future, Climate Liberation Aotearoa and others will be protesting outside ANZ bank in major centres around New Zealand this week (27-30 May).

ANZ funds Bathurst, the Australian mining giant intent on digging up the Denniston Plateau for coal.

So on Tuesday 27 May, we will be outside ANZ instead of on the Parliament Lawn.

The deets:

• start at ANZ 22 Willis Street at 12 noon
• finish at ANZ 86 Lambton Quay

All are welcome! Bring a sign and/or your voice!

Find out more and sign the petition, on the 350 Aotearoa website

This Tuesday 22 April, come and join us outside Parliament – let’s have an extra-large crowd on this special day!

This Tuesday we are having a special hui instead of our usual protest on Parliament Lawn.

But don’t worry – we’ll be back on the job Tuesday 22 April, which happens to be Earth Day!

Kit and Francesca continue to produce interesting interviews and discussions for their monthly radio show. Last month’s was on theme of ‘massive littles’ – how each step on the way to combatting the climate crisis can lead to positive change.

Find the recordings of the last few shows