4 March, 2010
Time to reward our environmental heroes
Environment Minister Nick Smith is calling for nominations for the 2010 Green Ribbon Awards which honour New Zealand’s environmental champions.
Read full release >>Hon Dr Nick Smith
26 February, 2010
Govt consulting on tree weed exemption
Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith today announced the Government’s proposed regulations for allowing the clearance of some tree weeds without penalty under the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Read full release >>24 February, 2010
Affordable, sustainable and fair ACC
The Government's Accident Compensation Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament today with the support of the ACT and United Future Parties.
Read full release >>23 February, 2010
ACC for criminal acts misguided
Removing ACC lump sums, income compensation and non-essential rehabilitation from those who commit crimes is common sense, ACC Minister Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>19 February, 2010
Govt releases resource management reports
Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide today released the findings of independent reviews initiated in October last year into the performances of Environment Canterbury and the Far North District Council.
Read full release >>19 February, 2010
Govt releases resource management reports
Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide today released the findings of independent reviews initiated in October last year into the performances of Environment Canterbury and the Far North District Council.
Read full release >>18 February, 2010
Efficiency incentives proposed for RMA
The Government is determined to improve the processing of resource consents and will introduce incentives to ensure this occurs from 1 July 2010, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>16 February, 2010
Govt working hard to save ACC for Kiwis
The Government's reforms of ACC are all about ensuring the scheme is affordable and sustainable for future generations, ACC Minister Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>12 February, 2010
Minister welcomes ACC Reform Bill report back
ACC Minister Nick Smith today welcomed the report back to Parliament on the ACC Reform Bill saying the recommendations will help secure the long-term future of the accident compensation scheme.
Read full release >>12 February, 2010
Minister welcomes ACC Reform Bill report back
ACC Minister Nick Smith today welcomed the report back to Parliament on the ACC Reform Bill saying the recommendations will help secure the long-term future of the accident compensation scheme.
Read full release >>5 February, 2010
New standards proposed for soil contamination
New standards are needed to assist councils in dealing with contaminated sites, says Environment Minister Nick Smith.
Read full release >>4 February, 2010
Forest deal delivers double environmental benefits
Environment Minister Nick Smith today commended Puketapu 3A Incorporation and Mighty River Power on their 2400 hectare forest proposal in Taupo that will reduce carbon emissions and nitrate run-off.
Read full release >>1 February, 2010
NZ joins Copenhagen Accord on climate change
The Government today announced that New Zealand is joining the Copenhagen Accord on climate change and is submitting its existing conditional 2020 target range.
Read full release >>28 January, 2010
New work underway on Phase II of RMA reforms
New Zealand needs to do better with its planning of urban development and associated infrastructure, Environment Minister Nick Smith said today announcing two new technical advisory groups to support the Government's programme of resource management reforms.
Read full release >>27 January, 2010
Minister calls in Mackenzie Basin dairy discharge consents
Environment Minister Nick Smith today called in three large dairy effluent discharge consents in the Mackenzie Basin and established a board of inquiry to decide on the applications.
Read full release >>21 January, 2010
$3 million to councils for waste minimisation
City and district councils will today receive their first payment of waste levy funding collected under the Waste Minimisation Act, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>8 January, 2010
Government considering intervention options over McKenzie intensive dairying proposals
"The Government recognises the level of public interest in major proposals for intensive dairying in the McKenzie basin and is considering options for intervention", Environment Minister Nick Smith said today.
Read full release >>11 December, 2009
Govt to consult with industry on ETS allocations
The Government today released a consultation document as a first step in the process of allocating emission units to industry under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>10 December, 2009
Government announces 2010/11 ACC levy rates
ACC levies for workers, employers and motorists will increase next year but less than those recommended by the ACC Board, ACC Minister Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>25 November, 2009
Balanced new law important step on climate change
The Government's Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament today with the support of the Maori and United Future parties.
Read full release >>25 November, 2009
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill 2009
Mr Speaker, I move that the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill 2009 now be read a third time.
Read full speech >>24 November, 2009
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill 2009
Second Reading
Read full speech >>23 November, 2009
ETS agreement enables progress on climate change
The Government has secured the support of the Māori Party to enable New Zealand to implement an affordable and workable emissions trading scheme next year, Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>20 November, 2009
Far North District Council review team announced
The investigation into Far North District Council's performance in processing applications for resource consents will start on Monday 23 November, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.
Read full release >>19 November, 2009
Taking agriculture forward with the Emissions Trading Scheme
Federated Farmers National Council Meeting, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Read full speech >>17 November, 2009
Motorcycle accident record cannot be ignored
ACC minister Nick Smith responded to today's motorcycle protest over proposed ACC levy increases by highlighting the significant increase in fatalities and claims from motorcycle accidents.
Read full release >>16 November, 2009
Changes to ETS needed to reduce costs
Parliament needs to pass amendments to the existing Emissions Trading Scheme prior to Christmas to make it workable and affordable, Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>16 November, 2009
Govt announces Environment Canterbury review team
Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide today announced the members of the review team that will investigate Environment Canterbury's poor performance.
Read full release >>13 November, 2009
Guardian criticism a reality check on climate change policy
Criticism in today's Guardian is a reminder of the risk to New Zealand of not taking climate change seriously and ensuring our actions match our words, Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>12 November, 2009
Govt welcomes report on ETS costs
A report on the amended Emissions Trading Scheme released today by the Sustainability Council shows the changes will more than half the costs for Kiwi households and businesses, Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith says.
Read full release >>
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| Fax: | (04)817 6505 |
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- Climate Change Issues - Minister
- Environment - Minister
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